REMINISCENCES, 



MEODOTES AND STATISTICS 



OP THE 



EARLY SETTLERS AND THE 'OLDEN TIME' 



IN THE 



TOWN OF SHEEBUENE, 



CHENANGO COUNTY, N. Y. 



< # a ^ > 



BY JOEL HATCH, JR. 




UTICA, N. Y. 

CURTISS & WHITE, PRINTERS, 171 GENESEE ST, 
1862. 



PREFACE 



The incidents connected with the early history of the Town of Sher- 
burne, are resting mainly in the recollection of a few individuals ; and 
if not soon recorded, will be irrecoverably lost. 

The writer of the following pages undertakes the task, without any 
regard to his fitness or unfitness, for the following reasons : He is a 
descendant of one of the first settlers, and the longest resident in the 
town of any individual living ; is the only male representative of any 
of the twenty proprietors, who now own or reside upon any portion 
of their paternal acres ; and there are but eight of their children now 
living in the town. The remainder, over one hundred in number, are 
scattered to the four corners of the earth. Many minor incidents are 
related in this work, which are only worthy of note, as they serve to 
associate the reader with the trials, difficulties, and hardships, inci- 
dent to setthng and subduing an unbroken forest. 



HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 



INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. 

From the commencement of the French war, to the 
close of the Revolutionary war, was a period of constant 
struggle, in cabinet or field, for our rights, civil and reli- 
gious. In the midst of these exciting and impressive 
scenes, the characters and principles of the early settlers 
of the town of Sherburne were developed and moulded. 
The exigencies of their country, together with uncer- 
tainty as to the result of passing events, confined them 
to those acts and exertions which were most immedi- 
ately pressing and necessary, until "the god of battles had 
crowned their arms with success, and the clarion of war 
had ceased to sound ;" when they found themselves free 
and independent, with the responsibilities of Church and 
State resting upon their shoulders. They were now 
under the necessity of entering without delay, into meas- 
ures to maintain themselves and their families, and lay 
a foundation for the future well being of their children. 

Accordingly, they resolved to make a settlement in 
the woods and wilds of the State of New York ; there 
bring up their children to habits of industry, and rear 
them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. 

Two years after peace with Great Britain was estab- 
lished, they removed from Kent, Litchfield county, Con- 
a2 



6 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 

necticut, into the then county of Albany, to lands belong- 
ing to Judge Duane, in the town of Duanesburgh. Judge 
Duane was unwilling to sell to settlers in fee simple. He 
would consent only to rent his lands for limited periods. 
This savored too much of servility for them, with their 
views of freedom and independence, patiently to endure. 
After seven years bondage under the annual rent sys- 
tem, they determined to remove in one body to the Val- 
ley of the Chenango, and settle upon lands then recently 
purchased by the State of New York, of the Oneida 
Indians, known as the Governor's Purchase. The treaty 
by which the celebrated " Twenty Towns " became the 
property of the State, was made in 1'788, by George 
Clinton, at Fort Schuyler, now Utica. 

The act authorizing the Surveyor General, Simeon De 
Witt, to locate and number these towns, was passed 
February 25, 1789. The lands were advertised for sale 
in 1791. The sale was to take place at New York city. 

It is reported that the following incident occured at 
the time when the treaty above alluded to w^as made. 
After it had been duly ratified, Governor Clinton having 
seated himself upon a log, one of the chiefs came and 
took a seat so close to him, that out of courtly respect, 
he moved along ; the chief crowded close again — the 
Governor made another move. These movements were 
repeated, until the Governor, not only found himself off 
the end of the log, but greatly perplexed, not compre- 
hending the meaning of all this ! The chief stoically 
replied : " Just so white man crowd poor Indian — 
keep crowding — keep crowding — by and by, crowd him 
clear off! — where poor Indian then ?" 



HISTOEY OF SHERBURNE. 7 

PIONEERS. 

Those who first came into the Valley of the ChenaDgo, 
to examine the country, and select the location of a settle- 
ment for themselves and some of their neighbors, were : 
Deacon Nathaniel Gray, Elisha Gray, Joel Hatch, New- 
comb Raymond, and James Raymond. They started on 
their journey the day these lands were advertised for 
sale, piloted by Josiah Throop, chief of the engineering 
corps, who had surveyed the " Twenty Townships " the 
previous year. Deacon Gray and the Surveyor came 
on horse-back, the rest on foot, with their packs on their 
backs. 

From Duanesburgh, they took a circuitous course to 
the north end of the Otsego Lake, thence down the east 
side of the lake to Cooperstown, at its southern ex- 
tremity. 

Here, leaving the abodes of civilization, they take a 
westerly course, guided by compass and marked trees ; 
now climbing precipitous hills — now penetrating dark 
and tangled forests, crossing deep rivers, threading vales, 
and fording streams. Thus they toiled on their weary 
way until night overtakes them. Soon their camp-fire 
sends up a cheerful blaze. They seat themselves around 
upon thickly spread Hemlock-boughs, fresh cut from the 
branches hanging over their heads. After partaking of 
the humble fare furnished by their knapsacks, they wrap 
themselves in their blankets, and invoking the watchful 
care of Him whose eye never sleeps, lie down to rest 
their weary limbs for the night. They rise at dawn, 
realizing " that the sleep of the laboring man is sweet.'* 
Their patriarchal leader mounts his horse, they shoulder 
their packs, and resume their march, re-enacting eadh 
day the toils of the preceding. At length, they find 



8 HISTORY OP SHERBURNE. 

themselves on the bank of the Unandilla river, which they 
crossed three or four miles below the present site of 
New Berlin village, and pursued their journey, buoyant 
with hope and expectations, enlivened by the ever 
changing panorama passing before them, as they ap- 
proached the Valley of the Chenango.* They struck this 
river, east of where Norwich village now stands, and 
followed its course ten miles north to the junction of the 
Handsome Brook, called by the natives To-to. They 
arrived at 2 p. m., after five days hard traveling, June 
I'ZQl. 

While standing upon the bank of this beautiful river, 
contemplating the scenery around their prospective local- 
ity — scanning the hills that bound the valley — eying the 
tall and stately Pines — admiring the extensive groves of 
Sugar Maples — and scrutinizing the soil and verdure, 
they discover that the grass has been recently cropt? 
While querying whether this has been done by wild or 
domestic animals, one of their number cries '' Hark ! I 
hear a bell!" They listen. "Its a cow-bell! Some 
family of white people must be near !" Guided by its 
tinkling sound, they cross the Handsome Brook, when, 
lo! amidst the forest trees, a new shanty appears, built 
of bark, in the form of a tent! Excitement quickening 
their pace, they were soon at the door, and found a 
family consisting of five men, one woman, and some 
small children, who had arrived about three hours before 
them, from the town of Paris, Oneida county. After 
mutual congratulations had been exchanged, such as only 
kindred spirits having the same objects in view, and 
braving the same toils and dangers, could realize ; and 

* The name Chenango is of Indian origin, and signifies in their lan- 
guage, " beautiful river." 



HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 9 

each others views and wishes obtained, they proposed 
to examine the south-west quarter of the ninth township, 
the next day in company. 

The good woman of the house addressed herself to 
the entertaining of her guests, with right good will. 
Her house was soon in order; a place was found for 
everything, and everything Avas in its place. One of 
these pioneers remarked that *'She appeared to be as 
well acquainted with every room in the house, as if she 
had lived in it a twelve month." With true pioneer 
hospitality, she prepared the best room in her mansion 
for their repose through the night. Including the Sur- 
veyor, she had six more lodgers to provide for. How 
she accomplished this, you can conceive better than I 
can express. Suffice it to say, she had good new bread 
and beer of her own baking and brewing, upon the table 
for breakfast, the next morning. Seating themselves 
around an apology for a table, arranged with primitive 
splendor, the unexpected good fortune of having these 
luxuries, together with milk, spread before them, called 
forth with lively emotion the remark, " We can tell our 
friends and neighbors at home, that we found the land 
flowing with milk, if not honey." Tasting the delicious 
beverage, he exclaimed with a ludicrous scowl, " What's 
the matter with the milk ?" They sip, shake their headc 
and look at each other in blank amazement. One better in- 
itiated into the mystery, laughing, steps out of the door, 
and soon returns with a leek, saying, " The cow has been 
eating leeks ; taste this and you vrill not perceive the lla- 
vor in your milk." They rose from their repast vriser than 
when they sat down ; and for years after were fain to 
put their knowledge to practical use. So luxuriant was 
the grass and herbage, so wonderful its effect upon the 
cow, that the milkman filled his pail the third time, when 



10 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 

he exclaimed, " I wont go out again if the milk rots in 
her bag." My informant clapped his hand upon my knee, 
and looking archly in my face, said, " Its not necessary 
to state how large the pail was." After having finished 
their examination, and mutually agreeing to purchase in 
company, they departed, expecting to find this family on 
their return ; but never saw them afterwards. 

Returning home, they take the northern route through 
the town of Paris. From thence to the Mohawk river ; 
following this stream to the junction of the Schoharie, 
and thence to Duanesburgh. As they brought a goodly 
report of the land they had visited, Nathaniel Gray was 
dispatched to New York city, empowered to negotitate 
for the same. On inquiring he found that the State had 
sold to Wm. S. Smith six townships, including the land 
he was in quest of. The patent granted to Wm. S. 
Smith, was dated April 16, 1794, and recorded in the 
office of the Secretary of State. 

In disappointment he returned home. Unwilling how- 
ever to abandon the enterprise, they resolved to make 
one more effort. Accordingly, Mr. Gray made another 
journey to New York. On presenting his second pro- 
position, he had the mortification to be again rejected. 
As he was about to return, Mr. Smith offered him the 
quarter in question, at one dollar twenty-five cents per 
acre ; f)roposing to execute a contract for a deed, upon 
certain conditions, to run seven years, which, if approved 
of by his associates, they might retain, if not, return it 
and he would charge nothing. 

This contract was given to Nathaniel Gray, Timothy 
Hatch, Joel Hatch, Newcomb Raymond, Josiah Lathrop, 
James Raymond, John Gray, jr., Abraham Raymond, 
Elish Gray, Cornelius Clark, and Eleazer Lathrop. 



HISTOEY OF SHEEBURNE. 11 

It was accepted, none of them being able to pay down 
for their lands. The land selected by this company was 
the southwest quarter of the ninth township,* one of the 
twenty towns purchased of the Oneida Indians, in 1788^ 

The grantor of the deed to the eleven proprietors, was 
Benjamin Walker, its date 1796. 

FIRST FAMILY. 

Abraham Raymond and family, were the first to move 
on and take possession of their new home. They started 
in the winter of 1792, and came as far as Norwich, 
(where a few families had located about two years pre- 
vious, and were the nearest neighbors to their intended 
settlement,) and tarried there until spring, when they 
were joined by their associates, (their number having in 
the mean time increased from eleven to twenty,) who 
came on for the purpose of commencing improvements, 
and preparing for the recej^tion of their families, the next 
year. Their names were, Nathaniel Gray, Joel North- 
rop, Joel Hatch, John Lathrop, Elisha Gray, John Gray, 
John Hebbard, Eleazer Lathrop, Ezra Lathrop, Corne- 
lius Clark, Timothy Hatch, Abraham Raymond, New. 
comb Raymond, James Raymond, Josiah Lathrop, Eli- 
jah Gray, Elijah Foster, John Gray, jr.,f Amos Cole, 
David Perry. 

* It contains six thousand, two hundred, twenty-two and one half 
acres. 

f John Gray, jr.'s name is on the original deed; but as ho relin- 
quished his lot to his father, John Gray, who settled upon it, and was 
always spoken of as one of the first settlers by his associates, I think 
it proper to name him as one of the first proprietors ; he was, to say 
the least, practically such. John Gray, jr., settled in the west part of 
the State, and died there ; and was the last of the twenty proprietors. 



12 HISTORY OP SHEEBURNE. 

A party of them arrived late one afternoon, and put 
up for the night on the west side of the Chenango river, 
opposite where Norwich village now stands. In a wig- 
wam, on the east side of the river, owned and occu- 
pied by a family of Oneida Indians, a few Tuscaroras, 
(after having drank more " fire-vrater " than was meet,) 
were reposing for the night. One of these began to stab 
with a knife the squaw of another Indian. The cry of 
"David! David! he kill yciir squav^ !" awoke her 
sleeping lord, who, seeing the condition of his squaw, 
and him who had done the deed, struggling with a sober 
Indian, who sought to control him, seized a tomahawk 
and sank it into his head. Abraham Raymond and Joel 
Hatch visited the wigwam the next morning, with many 
painful misgivings as to what might be in store for them 
and their families, in the future. They found the wound- 
ed man lying upon the -ground, nearly naked, with a 
'* lump of brain as large as a butternut, oozing out of 
the wound." He lived in this condition two or three 
days. Mrs. Raymond assisted in dressing the wounds, 
and administering to the necessities of the squaw, v/ho, 
in a few days, was able to sail down the river in a canoe. 

A runner carried the news of this tragedy to the chief 
of the Oneidas, who, with his head men and councillors, 
soon arrived, and proceeded to examine the case accord- 
ing to their own laws and customs. He inquired very 
particularly into the general conduct of David toward 
the white people. Whether he was saucy and quarrel- 
some, whether he injured their cattle, &c. The witnesses 
all gave him a good character for peace and quietness. 
The chief, after due consultation with his head men, thus 
decided : " If Indian go kill my squaw, I kill him, so 
David he clear." 

Mr. Raymond and one of his associates went forward 



HISTORY OF SHERBURNE, 13 

and erected a hut, for the accommodation of the whole 
company, for the ensuing season. This mansion, from 
which no one was turned away for want of room, was 
built in one day, and covered with bark and brush. It 
stood about forty rods below the junction of the Hand- 
some Brook with the river. Lift up your eyes and sur- 
vey the land, as when the fathers first beheld it ! when 
trees of primeval growth, in towering grandeur, pierced 
the skies, carrying the mind back, almost coeval with 
the time when the morning stars sang together. What 
object m view has yonder solitary woodsman, with ax 
upon his shoulder, slowly wandering amid the giants 
of the forest, whose interlocking branches have for ages 
hid mother earth from the genial rays of the sun ? Be- 
hold, with slow and measured step he moves along — 
now halting upon the bank of this gurgling rill — now 
pausing to examine this cool bubbling spring. He seats 
himself upon a moss-covered mound, his manly brow 
exhibiting the intense workings of his mind : " Yes, here 
will I build my house, set up my altar, and enjoy life 
with her who is the sunshine of my soul, the centre of 
all my earthly joys. I have a part to act in the great 
drama of the world, a duty to perform to God and his 
Church, to my family and country. Providence having 
led my footsteps hither, I ought not, I cannot go back." 
He rises to his feet, runs his eye up the trunk of a stately 
tree, lays off his coat, seizes his ax, strikes ! It is 
the first blow, and the first echo from the woodman's 
ax ever heard in this region, since time began. Blow suc- 
ceeds blow, and echo answers echo, until it totters to 
its fall. Instinctively raising his eye through the open- 
ing, the glorious orb of day salutes his gaze, apparently 
delighting to linger in his diurnal course to warm and 
Tivify the earth, and qheer the laborer onward. Hark ! 



14 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 

what is that which comes swelling upon the breeze ? 
He listens, lost in a pleasing reverie ; a crash, succeeded 
by a heavy rolling sound, assures him that a brother 
pioneer has felled his first tree. Day after day T\dtnesses 
to their patient, persevering toil. 

The echo from lot to lot gives to each pleasing assur- 
ance, that he is not doomed to struggle alone — that 
kindred spirits have counted the cost and made the firm 
resolve, cheered by anticipations of the future when 
they may, around their own firesides, by the blessing 
of God, enjoy, amid the conveniences and comforts of 
civilized life, the sweets of domestic and social inter- 
course. 

During the summer and autumn of 1792, the southwest 
quarter was re-surveyed and divided into twenty equal 
parts, by Cornelius Clark, in such manner that each 
might obtain an equal share of river and upland, and 
assigned by lot to the several proprietors.* 

Such was their desire to live in peace and harmony 
with all men, especially with each other, that in order 
to remove, as far as possible, from their midst, every 
danger of disagreement, they mutually agreed to abide 
the metes and bounds established by their surveyor. 
They did abide them to the letter. I never knew any 
disagreement among them, on account of the bounds or 
quantity of land in their respective lots. This year they 
built their first saw-mill, cleared some land, erected a few 
log-houses, opened a road from the settlement now 
known as the Quarter, east to the Unadilla river, ten 
miles. 

* Cornelius Clark having a preference for a particular lot, (the one 
now occupied by George Davis,) offered the man who drew it, a bot- 
tle of rum and an ax without helve, and in its rough state, to exchange 
with him, which offer was accepted. 



HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 15 

The saw-mill was located in the gulf, on the stream, 
east of Sherbm-ne village, about half a mile below the 
falls, known as the Sulphur Springs. Finding some ne- 
cessary irons lacking, they dispatched Joel Hatch, on 
horse-back, to Clinton, (the nearest black-smith's,) to 
obtain them. Following Indian paths, after three days 
absence, he returned with them. The cost of the irons 
at the shop was trifling. 

It was at this mill that the first sermon ever preached 
in town, and probably in the valley, was delivered in 
1792, by the Rev. Blackleach Burritt.* His text, Isaiah 
XXXV. 1 : " The wdlderness and the solitary place shall be 
glad for them ; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom 



*Mr. Burritt graduated at Yale, in 1765. That year, the British 
Parliament laid a tax of two pounds sterling, (about ten dollars,) on 
every diploma granted from any college in the colonies. He was a 
zealous Whig, during the Kevolutionary War; often carrying his 
patriotism into his pulpit. He resided at that time on Long Island, 
near the East River, about twenty miles from New York city, which 
was in the possession of the British army, A party of British sold- 
iers, guided by Tories, surrounded his house in the night, took hhn 
prisoner, and hurried him into their boat ; not allowing time to put 
on his clothes, until they had him safe on board. They sailed imme- 
diately for New York, where he was confined, most of the time, with 
other prisoners, in what was known as the " Sugar House." 

He would preach to his fellow prisoners on the Sabbath, and admin- 
ister the consolations of religion to the sick and dying, under repeated 
insults and threats, from a rude, unfeeling soldiery. After about two 
years captivity, expecting to be released on a particular day, he pre- 
pared a spicy sermon for the occasion, which the officers, knowing his 
spirit and independence, were determined to prevent his delivering. 
Accordingly, when orders arrived for his discharge on the Monday 
following, they released him on Saturday night previous. He request- 
ed permission to stay and preach to his countrymen on the Sabbath 
day. They peremptorily refused, ordered him to leave immediately, 
which to his deep regret, he was obliged to do. 



16 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 

as the rose." The emigrants, in the midst of their high 
hopes of future prosperity, were disheartened by the ap- 
pearance of a hard frost, on the morning of the 1st of 
September, succeeded by a premature snow, the effect 
of which was so severe on vegetation, that the trees of 
the forest were as effectually denuded of their foliage, by 
the 15th of September, as is usual by the middle of Oc- 
tober. 

As they looked upon each other, almost in despair, 
they would inquire. Is this a cold, frosty country? Is the 
climate unpropitious ? Will our vmdertaking prove a 
failure ? The only answer that could be given was, our 
all is at stake — we have purchased, and must abide the 
issue, whether for better or for worse. 

After sixty years residence in town, some of them 
remarked, that they had never since seen frost or snow 
equally severe, as early in the season. With these 
gloomy forebodings they returned to their families, ex- 
cept Abraham Raymond, who having his Avith him, tar- 
ried upon the spot, residing part of the winter with the 
settlers in Norwich. 

During the winter and spring of 1793, most of them, 
with their families, came on and took possession of their 
land of promise. Some of the company employed In- 
dians to convey their baggage up the river, in their 
canoes, at about twenty-five cents per hundred. After- 
wards, in their intercourse between the two settlements, 
the less timid mothers, with their children, would trust 
themselves to the skill of these primitive navigators, as 
preferable to traveling by cart and oxen through the 
almost pathless woods ; and they never had cause to 
complain of their want of gallantry or honesty. Two 
sons of Cornelius Clark, Job and John, started on foot, 



HISTOKY OF SHERBURNE. 17 

in advance of their father and family. While on their 
way, they purchased a bag of flour, and carried it some 
sixty or seventy miles, upon their shoulders, together 
with necessary utensils for camping in the woods and 
clearing land. They built a hut three-fourths of a mile 
from any of the other settlers, and commenced pioneer 
life, cheered by the friendly mterest in their welfare, 
manifested by their neighbors. With energy and ambi- 
tion, these young men plied their task. The tangled 
pile of prostrate trees, testified that they were not idle. 
On a certain night, one of them, being left alone, was sud- 
denly aroused from the enjoyment of "nature's sweet 
restorer," by his ever watchful dog springing upon his 
bed, uttering a low growl. Peering through the dark- 
ness, he discovered in the dim light of the aperture, which 
served for a door, the head of some wild animal, evidently 
determined unceremoniously to scrape his acquaint- 
ance ! Not being disposed, unarmed and alone, to 
entertain such comj^any, he seized a log-chain, which prov- 
identially hung within reach, and hurled it violently at 
the head of the unwelcome intruder, causing him to beat 
a retreat, clamorously pursued by the faithful dog. The 
terrific yells which succeeded, gave unmistakable evidence 
to the panic-stricken listener, that deadly combat was 
raging ! At length, the uproar without gradually sub- 
siding, evinced that the battle was drawing to a close — 
leaving him to no enviable reflections upon his unpro- 
tected condition, impatiently awaiting the dawn of day. 
The fate of his dog hung in suspense until late the next 
afternoon, when he was discovered slowly advancing 
towards the cabin, so seriously injured that he died in 
two or three days. 

After securing a shelter, barely suflScient to protect 
their families from inclement storms, the great desidera- 
b2 



1 8 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 

turn was to raise the requisite supply of provisions for 
the ensuing year. In order to do this, it would first be 
necessary to clear theii* lands, which would call for all 
their energy to have it done in time to insure a crop. 

The scarcity of seed among them at this time, espe- 
cially of the coarser kinds, was no small item in their 
perplexities, as the following incident will disclose : 
They had no potatoes, and none could be obtained 
nearer than Otsego county. John Lathrop, with cart 
and oxen, started to obtain a supply. After the usual 
events incident to traveling in a new country — plunging 
down steep banks, and fording unbridged streams — he 
finds himself across the Unadilla river, where he was 
enabled to obtain about twenty bushels of potatoes, of 
a farmer, by the name of Dickey, who, some thirty or 
forty years after, became a citizen of the town. Mr. 
Lathrop, on his return was struggling to ascend the 
west bank of the river, with his load, to accomplish 
which, required all the energy of himself and strength 
of his team. When near the top, up tipped his cart- 
body ! — out slid the hind board — down rolled the pota- 
toes into the mud and water below, with a speed that 
contrasted finely (though not agreeably) with that of 
their ascent. To remedy this mishap, there was no alter- 
native but to gather them into a basket, and carry them 
upon his shoulders several rods up a steep, wet, and slip- 
pery bank, requiring some twenty or more journeys, up 
and down, to accomplish. In relating this incident, he 
said, " When I had to rush into the river to prevent 
some of them from floating down the stream, to dig 
others out of the mud, and wipe them on the grass or 
my old frock, and lug them on my back up the hill, I 
thought my troubles were great." On the half-century 
anniversary of the settlement, those who remained, had 



HISTORY OF SHEKBURNE. 19 

a social gathering, at the house of Timothy Hatch, to 
celebrate the day. Deacon Dickey introduced himself 
among them, remarking, " Although I was not one of 
the early settlers, I think myself entitled to a seat among 
you, for supplying the first seed potatoes planted in the 
town." This little reminiscence inaugurated him into 
their fraternity with right good will. 

LOG HOUSES. 

Their houses were constructed of round logs, laid 
upon the top of each other, and so notched at the ends, 
as to lie as close as possible — the jomts between being 
filled with small sticks, and plastered over with clay 
mortar. Its covering was often of bark, sometimes tem- 
porarily of brush. Openings were made for doors and 
windows, a part of the logs cut away at one end, and a 
few stones piled up for a back to the fire place, the bare 
earth for a hearth and floor — a hole cut through the roof 
for the escape of the smoke — as large a log as could be 
conveniently managed, four or ten feet long, rolled 
into the fire-place, with a forestick to correspond, raised 
upon wooden " fire dogs ;" and then the good wife and 
mother was prepared to commence the duties of her sta- 
tion. The inspiring influence of the hope and belief that 
they shall see better days, banishes every murmur, and 
sheds around her a halo of joy and cheerfulness. The 
kettle adjusted on the top of the burning wood, the 
pork and potatoes put therein, soon all are delightfully- 
foaming and boiling. The long-handled frying-pan, or 
the short-handled spider is on the coals before the fire, 
containing the Indian meal, moulded and prepared for 
baking into bread. Some unexpected movement of the 
burning wood, causes the kettle to upset, precipitating 
its contents into the fire ! The ashes and cinders raised 



20 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 

into a cloud, unmercifully pepper the half baked bread. 
This mishap adjusted as well as circumstances allow, the 
frugal meal is arranged in due order, on the top of a 
large chest or some rough board, supported at each 
end on boxes or old barrels. The conch-shell echoing 
through the woods, summons the husband and father 
from his fallow ground, (which had been recently burnt 
over,) begrimed and blackened with soot and smoke, as 
thoroughly as the good house-wife's bread and pork. 
The accident explained, they instinctively glance at their 
child, express their joy and thankfulness that it was no 
worse, and sit down to their simple repast, with grati- 
tude and cheerfulness. 

Gradually, as their circumstances allow, improvements 
are made. The blanket which has served as an apology 
for a door, gives place to one made of boards ; it may be 
smoothed with the plane, or in its rough state ; hung on 
wooden hinges of rude construction, with wooden latch 
and handle. A string connected with the latch, runs 
through the door and hangs on the outside. 

Toy want of glass, they substitute oiled paper. For a 
floor, some suitable tree is cut^ rent in twain with the 
beetle and wedge, leveled with the hewing ax, and may 
or may not be, slightly smoothed with the plane ; and 
then laid across a few poles adjusted upon the ground, 
leaving a suitable space for the hearth and fire-place. 

Let all who reside in the house, or who may enter it, 
take good care of their pocket knives, or other small 
articles of value, lest they find their way through the 
crevices of the floor, and disappear from sight. 

Let the gallant, Avho in self-complacency poises one 
leg upon his knee and rocks back in his seat, (strapping 
his new jack-knife upon his boot,) look well to his posi- 



HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 21 

tion, lest the legs of his chair explore the vicinity of a 
crack, seek a resting place below, and come out minus 
half their number, himself sprawling upon the floor, rub- 
bing his elbows and scratching his head. 

This room constituted kitchen, nursery, parlor, and to 
a certain extent, lumber room. The bed snugly adjusted 
in one corner, on some rude structure — was surrounded 
and adorned with sheets or blankets for curtains. 

The pantry consisted of wide boards, one above 
another, resting on long pins driven into the logs. 
These shelves were adorned with pewter plates, from 
six inches to two feet in diameter, arranged in rows set 
up on edge, with cups, mugs, and basins, all polished to 
such a degree that your own image would be distinctly 
reflected from their surfaces. Pewter constituted mainly 
their table furniture, even to their spoons, whether for 
table or tea. At that day, there was but one set of silver 
spoons in the town. The tradition is, that Cornelius Clark 
had a pair of silver shoe-buckles, sent him from a rela- 
tive in England, and that he had them melted down and 
wrought into tea-spoons, which are now in the posses- 
sion of some of his grand-children. When they were 
able to obtain boards, the roofs of their houses were more 
substantially covered, and some laid loosely over head 
for a chamber floor, for lodging room for their children, 
visitors and strangers, which was reached by climbing a 
ladder. All lodgers therein might reasonably expect, 
that by some unpropitious movement of the wind, a 
volumn of smoke would be rolled through the apart- 
ment of sufficient density to silence the buzz, and pre- 
vent the sting of the musquito, leaving them to dry their 
tears the best they could. 

A shelf would generally be suspended from the beams 



22 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 

over head, about one foot below the chamber floor, 
which served as a depository for almost every article not 
wanted for immediate use. A social party was seated 
one afternoon around the table of Joel Hatch. The tea 
having been poured out and distributed, the mistress of 
the house remarked, " Mr. Hatch, perhaps some of our 
friends would like some sugar in their tea, wont you 
hand it down ? its over where Mr. Gihnore sits." Mr. 
Gilmore rising, took it from the shelf, and commenced 
knocking off fragments with his knife. After repeated 
blows, he exclaimed, " I declare ! this is the hardest cake 
of sugar I ever saw, it makes my knife strike fire !" and 
laying it down, began drinking his tea. Mr. Hatch took 
up the fragment to sweeten his tea. After striking one 
or two blows, he stopped, saying, " Well might Mr. Gil- 
more call this hard sugar ! its a piece of a grindstone !" 
Mr. Gilmore replied, he had not discovered but his tea 
was very well sweetened. 

A broom made of hemlock-boughs, or small twigs of 
beech, would give unmistakable evidence of having been 
frequently called upon to keep things neat and tidy, 
around the mansion. 

For that necessary article, a cradle^ owing to the scar- 
city of mechanics, a sap-trough, for a brief space, would 
be substituted, and the " little darling " rocked to quiet- 
ness and sleep, under the musical tones of " lullaby," wdth 
as much promptness and success, as ever attended its 
more aristocratic name-sake. 

Instead of the piano, their music would be the buzz 
and hum of the spinning wheel — the echo of the wood- 
man's ax — and the crash of falling trees. 

There was great equality among them. All were in 
debt for their lands, for the payment of which, together 



HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 23 

with the supply of their daily recurring wants, they were 
dependent entirely on the products of their partially sub- 
dued farms, and were obliged to practice in their domes- 
tic arrangements, the most rigid economy. Their dress 
was of the plainest kind, in the manufacture of which, 
every pound of flax, from the hatchel to the distaff, every 
fleece of wool, from the cards and spindle to the loom, 
must pass through the manipulations of the good ma- 
tron's or her budding daughter's hands. Their own 
ingenuity and skill must be exercised in dying every 
article of their wardrobe, the materials for which could 
only be obtained from the forest around them, such as 
the Butternut, Soft-Maple, Witch-hazel, Sumac, &g. ; or 
from the more aristocratic Indigo tub, which, as a matter 
of course must stand as an ornament by the side of every 
fire-place, especially in cold weather. If its odor is offen- 
sive, you have only to remove to a more respectful dis- 
tance, and no oftence will be given or taken. The 
mothers, all honor to their names, whether prepared for 
company, or dressed for church, would be clad in checked 
linen garments, every thread of which had passed through 
their busy fingers. The plaids with their blending shades 
and arrangements, were matters of their own fancy and 
taste. After being fitted and prepared according to their 
knowledge of the mantua-maker's arts, and having been 
subjected to the polish of the smoothing iron, this dress 
would bestow upon its wearer as much dignity and 
gracefulness, as can be found within the folds of silk or 
satin at the present day. 

The fleece of wool of " nature's darkest dye," taken 
from the " good old black sheep," and sparsely mixed 
with that of the white, would, through the doating 
mother's energy and skill, clothe her sons in garments, 
which to her fond view, would not disgrace them in the 



24 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 

eyes of some lovely damsel, if it did not recommend them 
to their good graces and affections. 

In the supply of their tables, they confined themselves 
from necessity, to such kinds of food as afforded the most 
nutriment, with the least labor and expense ; prominent 
among which were beans and Indian corn. The morn- 
ing and evening repast, generally consisted of " hasty 
pudding," eaten in milk, or, in its more primitive form, 
spread over with maple molasses, the sight of which, 
when being prepared by the ever indulgent mother, 
would cause a noisy scramble among the little urchins, 
reminding us of the acme of three boys, while enjoying 
with great gusto such a meal, " I wish we were three 
kings, then we would have clean ruffled shirts to wear, a 
new coal-cart to ride in, and eat puddin' and 'lasses for- 
ever." Bean porridge, flavored by being boiled with 
salt beef or pork, was no uncommon article of food upon 
their tables. Their bread in its simplest form was 
" Johnny cake," baked in a spider, or on a board set up 
on edge before the open fire-place ; or the loaf of Indian 
bread, compounded with pumpkins, to make it moist and 
Bweet, baked in a wrapper of cabbage leaves, under a 
bed of burning coals, which could not fail to gratify 
the most delicate palate. Gradually, as their clearings 
increased, wheat became their more common bread, but 
of such a quality as would at the present day be con- 
demned as unfit for use, in consequence of the mixture of 
cockle, chess, smut, and other impurities, which grew in 
their fields in rank luxuriance around remaining logs and 
stumps. 

Their only contrivance for cleaning grain was a hand fan, 
made of willow wicker-work, in using which, by a peculiar 
toss, aided by a dexterous movement of the knee against 



HISTORY OF SHERBUENE. 25 

the underside, the grain received an upward impulse, 
when a portion of the chaff would be blown away. After 
this process had been repeated a number of times, it 
was passed through a coarse sieve or riddle, and then 
elevated high in the air, and poured in a gentle stream 
through a current of wind upon the threshing floor. 
This, though slow, tedious, and imperfect, was the best 
means they had, until mills for cleaning grain were intro- 
duced. 

Swine, which were easily fattened by the aid of acrons, 
beech-nuts and other " shack," constituted their standard 
meat. When cooked in any of its multifarious forms, it 
was customary for the master of the house to cut it into 
small pieces, and place it in the centre of the table, after 
wljich, each, fork in hand, would help himself, mouthful 
by mouthful. It would have been thought as selfish and 
vulgar at that day, to take a slice of meat upon your 
own plate, as it is at this, to be repeatedly helping your- 
self from the dish. This was the custom of the people, 
and sanctioned by the times. 

When the fatted calf was killed, or lamb slain, they 
would distribute portions to their near neighbors, who, 
in due time, returned the compliment without refer- 
ence to the balance. They would mutually arrange the 
time when each should kill, so that they might, at suit- 
able intervals, be accommodated with a piece of " fresh." 
Trout abounded in the small streams, and with venison 
occasionally, and other troj^hies of the huntsman, formed 
no undesirable portion of their animal food. The tin 
milk-pan, or the wooden bowl, would adorn one end of 
the table, weU filled with ample sized dough-nuts, which, 
in modern times, are nearly supplanted, by stinted crul- 
lers, miffs, jumbles, and deleterious sweet cakes, that 
make us sigh for the good old days of yore. 



26 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 

GRIST MILL. 

The nearest mill for grinding grain, was at Whites- 
town, about forty miles distant, reached only by Indian 
foot-paths, leading through a dense unbroken forest. For 
more than two years, this and the mortar and pestle, 
was their only resource. Some of the more ingenious 
would attach a spring to the pestle, which materially les- 
sened the labor of pounding. 

Some of the first grists taken to mill, were from neces- 
sity carried on horseback, or on oxen yoked together, 
and one or more bags of grain lashed to their backs, 
with others hanging across the yoke between them. 
This mode of milling was evidently inconvenient and 
unprofitable. In order to carry more at a time, they con- 
structed a " dray " or " carry all," by cutting a crotched 
tree of suitable dimensions, and so attaching one end to 
the yoke, that the two branching limbs shall spread out 
and drag upon the ground behind the oxen. By pin- 
ning cross pieces to these, and driving stakes into their 
sides, they were enabled to pile their bags of grain 
thereon. Two or more men, leaving behind them loved 
ones, with no neighbor in sight or hearing, anxiously 
awaiting their return, seize their axes, shoulder their 
musket, and plunge into the wild wood, clearing away 
each obstacles as block their path — fording streams and 
climbing their precipitous banks. Their cattle, at times, 
sink to their bodies in the mire. They struggle, floun- 
der, and flounce to extricate themselves, but all to no pur- 
pose. They are unyoked, and by hard pulling and pry- 
ing, released. Onward is the motto. Night overtakes 
them. They camp as best they may — build their barri- 
cade — examine their musket, pick the flint — renew its 
priming — commit one eye to Morpheus, while the other 



HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 27 

Stands sentinel over the camp, ready to give the alarm 
on the approach of the common enemies that prowl in 
the forest, which, from their growl and howl, and fresh 
tracks recently seen, are known to be near. A blazing 
fire, like a guardian angel keeps them at bay. They 
arise at dawn to re-enact each day in substance, the toils 
of the preceding. Five or six days of precious time 
would thus be spent in procuring sustenance for their own 
and some of their neighbors' families, until, with joy, 
they find themselves on their return, and approaching 
their little clearing. At length, their log-cabin heaves 
in sight, their bosoms swell with emotion — a little 
daughter, with blooming rose colored cheeks, discovers 
her father, bounds into the house, dancing with joy, and 
exclaims, " Oh, mamma ! mamma ! daddy has come ! 
daddy has come ! now we shall have something besides 
pounded corn to eat — some good new wheat bread to 
crumble into our bean porridge, shant we ? — wont you 
make some short-cake ? — Oh ! oh ! oh !" 

It is worthy of note, that at this time, there were but 
two log-houses where the city of Utica now stands, four 
miles east of Whitestown. Such incidents it is well to 
record, that the generation now growing up in comfort, 
ease, and luxury, may, by comparing the present with 
the past, realize how great is the labor, and how many 
the privations of those who first settle and build up a 
new country. Great was their rejoicing, when their 
landlord generously offered to furnish the irons, mill- 
stones, and other articles which could not be obtained 
upon the spot, and ship them to Albany, agreeing to 
take the mill when finished, at a fair valuation in pay- 
ment towards their land, deducting the amount he had 
advanced. This proposition was readily accepted, and 
steps immediately taken to carry it into effect. 



28 HISTORY OF SHERBUKNE. 

To get their mill-stones from Albany was a herculean 
task, such heavy articles, such ways as the primitive con- 
dition of the country furnished, (for roads they could 
not be called, roads were yet in the future,) would appal 
almost any men but such as these. Their sjbout hearts, 
and indomitable energy, were adequate to every emer- 
gency. Two men, one of whom was John Lathrop, 
started with sled and oxen, the latter part of winter, to 
obtain them. Slow indeed was their progress. Day 
after day, their voices would echo among the trees, as 
they cheered their teams — now starting the bounding 
deer, anon frightening the nimble fawn — now joining 
teams to surmount this hill — now to cross that stream, 
and climb its abrupt bank — now breaking through 
nature's bridge of ice, and extricating themselves from 
their difficult position, in the best manner circumstances 
allow* until their formidable task was successfully accom- 
plished.* 

In the spring of 1794, Joel Hatch built a temporary 
hut, and commenced operations upon the mill. He was 
three miles from his nearest neighbor, with his wife and 
two small children. 

As the evening twilight begins to hover around, the 
dense forest lends its aid to render the scene monoton- 
ous and solemn. In subdued quietness they seat them- 
selves before the blazing fire, built where the hearthstone 
ought to be. The good old cow, lies upon the ground, 
near the door, chewing her cud, gently sounding her 
bell as she sways to and fro, when the howl of the wolf, 
from some distant hill-top, breaks the silence that reigns 
around. Wolf answers wolf, from among the neighbor- 
ing hills — wolf answers wolf, from hill and vale, on every 

* It took three weeks to perform the journey. 



HISTORY OF SHEEBUENE. 29 

side, giving unmistakable evidence that a pack are near ! 
A glance at the door, satisfies the inmates that a blanket 
only, is a poor barrier against famishing half-starved 
wolves. A large chest is hurriedly placed behind it, rest- 
ing on its lower edge. Chairs, boxes, anything at hand, 
which will aid in blocking the entrance, are piled thereon. 
A solemn stillness succeeds, for some half-hour. These 
noctural visitors, in the mean time, reconnoiter the pre- 
mises, halt near the door, and, without warning, raise on 
the wings of the wind, a prolonged yell^ that rever- 
berates from hill to hill, to the consternation of the 
inmates of the house ! The cow leaped to her feet, and 
made the circuit of the house so furiously, that the clat- 
ter of her bell caused the wolves, with equal fear and 
fright, to beat a retreat. All was siletit the remainder 
of the night, save an occasional howl from some. distant 
hills. 

The mill, where the above scene took place, was the 
first erected for grinding grain in the town, and undoubt- 
edly in the county, and is located about four miles north 
of the village, in the north west quarter, on the Hand- 
some Brook. It is now owned by Walter Firman. I 
am aware that Preston and Norwich, both claim priority ; 
but Sherburne people would not have gone to Whites- 
town to get their grinding done, if there had been a mill 
at either of those places. Neither would Norwich have 
resorted to Tioga Point, as she is said to have done, in 
Clark's History of the County, if Preston had a mill at 
that time. Besides, people living in Norwich, are known 
to have brought grain to this mill very early. 

Soon after it was put in operation, it became expedi- 
ent for the daughter of Cornelius Clark to " go to mill." 
Caty, who was just budding into womanhood, was well 
pleased with the prospects of a ride of four miles through 
c2 



30 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 

the woods on horse-back. " She was'nt afraid, no, not 
she." Being detained longer than she expected, she 
started rather late on her return. "When within one 
mile of her father's house, her horse gave an unexpected 
spring, which brought her and the bag of meal to the 
ground. Striking upon her feet, and maintaining her 
hold upon the bridle, the first object she saw, was two 
fiery eyeballs, glaring through the twilight darkness, 
directly upon her ! Scarcly realizing how it happened, 
she found herself astride her horse ; and not inclined, if 
she could, to check his speed, bent all her energies to 
maintain her seat in the saddle. On reaching home, 
with natural excitement, she related her adventure. The 
family with one accord endeavored to allay her fright, 
by pretending to think she was more " scared than hurt." 
They did not deem it advisable, however, to go in search 
of the bag until the next morning, when they discov- 
ered the well known tracks of a large wolf, in its imme- 
diate vicinity! 

There have been, including the above, eight mills for 
grinding grain erected in town — there are now only 
two in operation. 

At an early day, a grist mill was built by John Gil- 
more, close to the Falls, known as the Sulj^hur Springs. 
The water was conducted by a spout through the roof. 
The road leading to it, was down a small ravine from the 
north, running under a bridge, over which the Cherry 
Valley turnpike road passed. The ravine, under the 
bridge, has since been filled up, and no trace of the 
bridge or mill remains. There have been twenty-one or 
two mills for samng lumber, running at diflerent times, 
within the bounds of Sherburne. At this day, there are 
but twelve. 

The remainder of the town, after this begining, was 



HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 31 

settled with unusual rapidity. In seven years, the num- 
ber of inhabitants had increased to twelve hundred and 
eighty-two. Many of these proved to be kindred spirits, 
drawn hither by the prospect of enjoying a well regu- 
lated Christian Society, with organized Churches and 
Schools. They were ready and willing at all times to 
throw their influence upon the side of good order, 
morality and religion, and were honored with offices of 
trust and responsibility, the duties of which they dis- 
charged with credit to themselves, and satisfaction to 
the people. 

FIRST PAYMENT FOR THEIR LANDS. 

When the first payment for their lands became due, 
their landlord, Benjamin Walker, mounted his horse and 
came to witness the progress and prosperity of the set- 
tlers and receive his dues. He met them at the house of 
Cornelius Clark. The money at that day was chiefly 
silver. One of them having brought his in a common 
mill bag, Mr. Walker purchased it, and added the 
remainder of his receipts. When ready to depart, he 
swung it across his horse, and vaulted into his saddle, 
with the air and attitude of a mill boy, which excited the 
merriment, and called forth the jokes of the spectators. 
They wished to know "how much toll" the miller was 
entitled to for grinding his grist, &g. As he bowed 
himself away, the settles jocosely cautioned him to be 
on his guard, lest by riding against some protruding 
limb, he should rend his bag and scatter his grist along 
the path, a misfortune which sometimes happened. I 
would by no means be understood to intimate that the 
bag was so full, that he experienced any difficulty in 
tying its mouth ; or, that it was so heavy, that he 
required assistance to lay it across his horse. 



32 HISTORY OP SHERBURNE. 

FIRST SCHOOL. 

The first school organized for winter, was at the house 
of Nathaniel Gray, one and a half miles north of the 
village. Two log houses having been erected adjoining 
<3ach other, to accomodate two families, one of them was 
vacated for the benefit of the school. A pedagogue, by 

the name of Gardner, was employed to teach it ; 

when exercising a class in spelling, he put the word 
Ifook — the scholar spelled it b-u-k — the teacher pro- 
nounced it right. Edward Gray, son of John Gray, dis- 
puted this. The master, in order to maintain the dignity 
of his station, undertook to correct him corporeally ; a 
scuffle ensued, from which the teacher came out second 
best. The result was, the school was broken up for the 
remainder of the winter. 

TOWN MEETING. 

The first Town Meeting was warned by the Town 
Clerk of Paris,* to meet at the house of Timothy Hatch, 
on the first Tuesday of April, 1795. They met in a log- 
house. Isaac Foote was chosen moderator, and Oramus 
Holmes, Town Clerk.f 

* Four years previous to that date, it was a part of Whitesto^-n. 

I Oramus Holmes was a soldier of the Revolution, a resident of 
Vermont. At the age of 17, he enlisted into one of the regiments of the 
celebrated "Green Mountain Boys." Me was with Gen. Montgomery 
in his expedition against Quebec. About the period of the evacua- 
tion of Ticonderoga by the British, he and a companion while out on 
a scouting expedition, were taken prisoners, conveyed to Quebec, 
and confined on board a prison ship. Making their escape in the 
ship's boat, with two others, they crossed the St. Lawrence, struck 
into the wilderness, without compass or guide, and traveled seventeen 
days in a wild, dreary, and unsettled region, subsisting for the first 
seven days on four hard biscuits, and eight ounces salt pork, per day, 



HISTORY OF SHEKBURNE. 33 

The Eighth and Ninth Townships were set off from 
Paris, as the Town of Sherburne, three years after the 
first Town Meeting, in 1798. 

Chenango county w^as formed the same year, from 
parts of Herkimer and Tioga counties, and extended 
from Oneida Lake to the Susquehanna River, and 
included Madison county. Madison was taken from 
Chenango, in 1806. 

The Town received its cognomen, according to tradi- 
tion, in the following manner : After the bounds had 
been agreed upon, the question w^as asked by one of the 
members of the Legislature, "What name shall we 
give it ?" The reply w^as, " The inhabitants of that 
place, always sing in their religious meetings, a tune 
called Sherburne ; I think that name will suit them bet- 
ter than any other." 

I have taken the Town Records for my guide, in set- 
tling the time when Sherburne was first organized. As 

and the remaining ten days on the inner bark of the "White Pine, and 
a few fish caught with their hands. After so many days of hunger, 
toil and anxiety, while fording a river, and when midway of the stream, 
they were discovered and retaken by a party of Indians in their canoes, 
coming suddenly around a bend in the river, and carried back to Que- 
bec, where they were again imprisoned with others on the second 
floor of a two story building, under a guard of eighteen men. Mr. 
Holmes, with two of his fellow prisoners, escaped by leaping to the 
ground, evading the guard, crossing the river, and again striking into 
the wilderness. Aftet many days of wandering and suffering, they 
reached the frontier settlements of Vermont in safety. In March, 
lt94 or 5, he settled in Sherburne, and soon united with the Congre- 
gational Church, and cheerfully co-operated in all plans for the estab- 
lishment of civil and religious institutions, and whatever contributed 
to the growth and prosperity of the settlement. In 1805, he removed 
to the shores of Lake Erie. After living there 27 years, he removed 
to Ohio, and there died, aged 87. 



34 HISTOEY OF SHERBUENE. 

there are unaccountable discrepancies found in the laws 
and other publications, in regard to the time when the 
county and town were first organized, I advise great 
caution in all who would seek accuracy upon that sub- 
ject. I believe the above is a correct version of the 
matter. 

FIRST JUSTICE OF THE PEACE. 

Nathaniel Gray was the first Justice of the Peace 
appointed in the town. He was not a man of brilliant 
talents, but had the faculty to ^nn from all veneration 
and respect. His counsels were received as words of 
wisdom, and his opinions as law. The religious and 
moral atmosphere which he diifused around all his actions, 
gave him a commanding influence over men, which few 
in any community possess. He was the Patriarch of the 
settlers — a man without an enemy — a burning and shin- 
ing light in the .Church. He and Abraham Raymond 
were chosen Deacons of the First Congregational 
Church, in Sherburne, at the time of its organization, 
1794. Both of these men were soldiers in the French 
War. Mr. Gray having been honorably discharged, 
returned home. The next season, Abraham Raymond 
entered the service, and was marched upon the same 
ground, which was near the south end of Lake Cham- 
plain in the vicinity of Lake George and Crown Point. 
He was taken sick, and was unable to get home without 
assistance. With the spirit of the good San^aritan, Mr. 
Gray mounted his horse and went to his rescue, riding 
some two hundred miles from Kent, Litchfield county. 
Conn., through more than one hundred miles of unset- 
tled woods and wilds, exposed to hostile bands of French 
and Lidians, then in open war with the colonies, and 
known to be lurking around. He found him weak and 



HISTORY OP SHEKBURNE. 35 

feeble, unable to mount a horse without assistance. 
Riding behind and supporting himself as well as he 
could, they rode a few miles and halted. By frequent 
short journeys, rests, and careful nursing, he gradually 
increased in strength, and finally arrived home in safety ; 
and more than twenty-five years afterwards, they became 
associates in forming a new settlement in the Valley of 
Chenango, and in leading church and society in the 
paths of Christian duty and usefulness. 

The impress, which the religious character of these 
two men stamped upon society, and the institutions they 
were instrumental in founding, are to this day exerting 
a salutary influence upon comunity. When we consider 
the almost normal condition of things in this valley at 
that early day — no organized town or county for some 
years — all recently from the tented field — State laws few 
and almost unknown by the people — their magistrate 
with but limited guide by which to square his official con- 
duct, well may we marvel that so perfect order, peace and 
quietness should prevail. "We can account for this only 
by their unwavering allegiance to the laws of heaven, 
and the confidence so implicitly placed in then- Moses 
and Joshua, to judge righteous judgment over them. 
The law as administered by him, was not the " rich man's 
shield and buckler — the good man's terror, the poor 
man's scourge." Deacon Gray died June, 1810. Dea- 
con Raymond died 1830. 

FIRST LAWSUIT. 

The first lawsuit in town, was before Nathaniel Gray, 
Esq. David Perry had discovered a dog, belonging to 
Weston G. Thomas, chasing and worrying his sheep. 
The owner, not regarding the repeated complaints that 
his dog was in the habit of so doing — that sheep had 



36 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 

been recently killed, and they had reason to believe his 
dog was guilty of the deed. Mr. Perry killed the dog. 
Mr. Thomas entered complaint, and caused a writ to be 
served upon him for damages. The news spread and 
became the universal topic of conversation. The moral 
sense of the community was shocked. That one neigh- 
bor should go to Imo with another, was an event which 
could not be tolerated. The excitement became general. 
A gentleman by the name of Poyers, now residing in 
the lower part of the county, says, that at the time and 
place designated for the trial, he was present — that 
nearly every adult male in the town was there, intent on 
effecting a compromise, Avhich w^as so readily acceded 
to by the parties, when brought together, that the 
people were taken by surprise. Their friendly remon- 
strances against the sj)irit of litigation, brought to light 

the fact that a certain pettifogger, by the name of 

Wilder, (who had recently come into the place,) had 
counseled him to prosecute, evidently for the purpose of 
pocketing a fee. This fact, turned the indignation of all 
upon the gentleman of law. They spontaneously resolved 
themselves into a committee, and delegated some of their 
number to wait on the barrister, and inform him that his 
presence in the town could be dispensed with — that his 
antecedents were distasteful to the people, and that the 
sooner he left the place, the more agreeable it would be 
to them ; at the same time remarking, if he decided to 
tarry among them, his person and property would not 
be molested, but he might rest assured they should avoid 
all intercourse, if not dealings with hhn. The spirit and 
opposition manifested by the people against the course 
he had pursued, convinced him that the sooner he was 
away, the better it would be for him. To the joy of the 
community, in less than one year after he came into the 
town, he was seen on his way out of it. 



HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 3Y 

With the twenty proprietors, the writer was person- 
ally acquainted, and has often heard them "fight their 
battles o'er." There was not a low or grovelling sj^irit 
among them. Every individual, from personal worth, 
commanded and received respect. Litigation between 
any of them was an event, which never, to my knowl- 
edge, took place. Such was their confidence in each 
other's honor and honesty, that in trafiSc, they would trust 
their neighbor to weigh and measure for himself, what- 
ever article he wished to obtain. They lived more like 
members of the same family, than neighbors having 
separate interests. 

They w^ere generally Congregationalists in their church 
organization and belief — Calvinists in doctrine — zealous 
supporters of education, morality, and religion — given to 
hospitality and brotherly kindness. None of them pos- 
sessed more than a common school education, and that 
very meagre, compared to the scientific attainments of 
the present generation; but they were men of strong 
minds and unbending integrity. United in their views, 
they controlled the political character of the town. 
They were Whigs in sentiment and policy. During all 
the varying phases of party names, they stood true to 
their principles. The spirit of '76 had almost uncon- 
trollable ascendency over them. To question their devo- 
tion to their country, was touching the " apple of the 
eye." As characteristic of these men, the following 
anecdote may not be inappropriate : After the town 
had been settled fifteen or sixteen years, national poli- 
tics caused party spirit to run rather high through the 
land. Newcomb Raymond, having business at the 
county seat, on his return, called on Col. Mead, who 
kept a public house near North Norwich bridge. They 
soon got into a political discussion upon certain measures 

D 



38 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 

then before the country. Col. Mead defended and Mr, 
Raymond opposed them. Mr. Mead growing warm, 
indiscreetly exclaimed, that all who were opposed to said 
measures were Tories. This declaration roused the 
lion. " Col. Mead ! when you were in your cradle, I 
was following Gen. Washington, leaving my foot-prints 
marked on the snow and ice, in blood ! To be called a 
Tory by you, is too much for flesh and blood to bear ; 
nothing but your being in your own house saves you a 
drubbing ! If you say it again, that shan't save you." 
The fire and bearing of this man, who was among those, 
who, at midnight, under Generals Hamilton and Lafay- 
ette, entered the first redoubt taken from Cornwallis, at 
Yorktown, Virginia, bayonet in hand, without flint in his 
gun,* awed the Colonel, and he said no more. 

The greater proportion of these, and many of the early 
settlers w^ith them, had done more or less active service 
in the Revolutionary War, battling for their rights, liber- 
ties, and independence. Some of them assisted in taking 
Canada from the French. Two were at the taking of 
Cornwallis. Others at the battle of Saratoga, aided in 
compelling Burgoyne to surrender his arms and army, 
to (^n. Gates. Some were at the battle of German- 
town, and in various other places of less note in our 
Revolutionary history. 

Their number was rapidly increased, by men of moral 
and religious principles, drawn hither by their unity of 
faith, and strong desire to begin life where they and 
their families could have church and school privileges, 
which gave to Sherburne, as a town, its moral and reli- 
gious reputation. They were conservatives, deeply im- 

* They took them out, lest an accidental discharge should betray 
their approach to the enemy. 



HISTOEY OF SHEEBUENE. ' 39 

bued with the princij^les of then- Puritan forefathers — a 
law abiding community. The observance of the Sab- 
bath, as holy time, was to them a matter of conscience, 
strictly enforced in their families, by example as well as 
precept. Among the first complaints for breach of the 
peace, was one for desecration of the Sabbath, entered 
by John Gray, Sen., (a Universalist,) against a party of 
men and boys, who had been seen upon the river, fish- 
ing through the ice on that day. They were duly 
arraigned, reprimanded, and punished by fine. Such 
w^ere their conscientious scruples, in all matters relating 
to the desecration of the Sabbath, that, about 1809, they 
carried their ideas of duty so far, as to attempt stoj)ping 
by force, people who were traveling through the town, 
upon secular business, on that day. The laws of the 
State authorized them, in no equivocal terms, to stop and 
detain all such until the Sabbath was past, and then 
take them before a magistrate, whose duty it was to 
impose a fine upon them. In attempting to put this law 
in force, opposition was aroused, resistance made, and 
lawsuits ensued. The law was so unpopular, and public 
opinion so manifestly against all attempts to carry it into 
execution, that they became convinced that it was, to 
say the least, of doubtful propriety, and all things consid- 
ered, inexpedient. When we recollect that our wise 
legislators saw fit to pass such a law, and the Governor 
of the State to sanction it by his signature, we cannot 
wonder that men, having the fear of God before their 
eyes, should feel it to be their duty, by all lawful means, 
to carry it into effect. Whatever censure we are dis- 
posed to pass upon them for their misguided zeal, must, 
with equal, if not with greater force, apply to the law- 
making power. 

Soon after the organization of the town and county. 



40 - HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 

Joel Hatch was appointed Justice of the Peace, as suc- 
cessor to Esquire Gray, whose age and infirmities ren- 
dered it expedient that he should resign. Esquire 
Hatch was retained in that office some fifteen or sixteen 
years. He was the subject of many jokes and anecdotes 
among the people, ready on any occasion and every 
emergency, with a well timed story, or an appropriate 
anecdote. At home, in any company, free, frank, and 
sociable — never disconcerted at any blunder or mishap 
that might light upon his shoulders. With fastidious- 
ness or the toilet, he had little or no affinity. Plain in 
matter and manner — fearless and original — backed by a 
strong mind and a retentive memory — well posted in 
all public measures, civil or religious — remarkable for 
recognizing any individual with whom he had been ever 
so slightly acquainted — once anchored upon any import- 
ant principle, you might as well attempt to "batter 
down the rock of Gibralter with a pocket poistol," as 
to move him from his moorings. No matter with how 
renowned a politician, or how celebrated a divine he 
was conversing, if he differed with him upon any point, 
he was ready to charge in battle array, in a tumbling 
rather than a rolling manner, with arguments and opin- 
ions so unique and original, as to command attention 
and win respect. His style and manner, when aroused, 
was that of the rasp, rather than the polishing file. 

In the early days of his public career, (1808,) a vote 
to divide the Eighth and Ninth Townships, which, until 
then had formed the town of Sherburne, was, after 
strenuous opposition from influential men, under consi- 
derable excitement, obtained. As the Legislature was 
then in session, it was considered advisable to appoint an 
agent to go forthwith, and present a petition for an act, 
authorizing the division. Esquire Hatch, was, accord- 



HISTORY OF SHEEBURNE. 41 

ingly appointed. On arriving at Albany, he presented 
his petition in due form before the Legislature, where he 
found that a strong array of opposition was organized. 
After some time had been spent upon the question, by 
the members, one of them remarked, " Perhaps the dele- 
gate can give us some information upon the subject, let 
us hear him." He arose at once, and was entering into 
the merits of the case, in his peculiar manner, riveting 
the attention of the house to such a degree, that the 
opposition became annoyed ; and in order to break him 
down, raised the question of his right to address the 
House, wishing to know if Esq. Hatch was a member, 
&c. This interruption, and these remarks, were received 
by him as an infringement upon his right of petition, for 
the obtaining of which, he had shouldered his musket in 
the Revolutionary War. It aroused the spirit and energy 
that had carried him to the tented field. His sten- 
torian voice instantly rang through the hall — " I came 
here with a petition from the people ! I am one of the 
people ! I have a right to be heard, and I will be heard !" 
He was heard in silent attention and evident delight, by 
the House. The object of his mission was soon accom- 
plished to his own, and his constituents' satisfaction. 

The first two lawyers, who settled in the town, with 
the view of practicing their profession, were Jonathan 
Pettit, and Ezra Osborn. Their company, as lawyers, 
was looked upon with jealousy, as tending to promote 
rather than allay the spirit of litigation. Nearly, if not 
quite, their first debiit at a regularly contested suit, was 
before Esq. Hatch, who was frequently under the influ- 
ence of somnolency ; but when spoken to, was instantly 
aroused. The testimony finished, the lawyers com- 
menced their pleadings. Esq. Osborn having completed 
his, Esq. Pettit began speaking in reply. The afternoon 
d2 



42 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 

being warm and sultry, he soon discovered the magis- 
trate nodding upon the bench. Being ambitious to 
acquit himself with honor, and establish his fame for 
legal lore, he thus addressed him : " I would thank the 
Court to keep awake, as there are some very important 
points which I wish to present for its consideration. 
" Go on, go on, the Court will hear you." Esq. Pettit 
proceeding, was again annoyed, by observing rather 
more whalebone elasticity in the neck of the Justice 
than he thought compatible with the dignity of his sta- 
tion, or consistent with the due appreciation of his argu- 
ments, and renewed his request for the special attention 
of the Court. Esq. Hatch, arousing from his lethargy, 
with his accustomed promptness and vivacity, replied : 
" Never mind, never mind, I decided the case more than 
an hour ago ; but I thought I would let you earn your 
dollar ;" which so disconcerted him, that he sat down, 
observing, " Then, all I can say will be of no avail." 
Judgment was rendered in favor of his client. 

After Esq. Hatch had served a few years as a magis- 
trate, a number of Associate Justices were appointed, 
among whom was Stephen Benedict. He was his anti- 
pode in matter and manner. The contrast was instruct 
ive and amusing. One, bold, defiant, and determined ; 
the other, mild, attractive, and winning— one inviting, 
rather than shunning, responsibility — the other, avoid- 
ing it if possible, but never shrinking from it, when 
necessary. Two men apparently more uncongenial, are 
seldom associated together, yet, no two individuals, in 
public business, ever harmonized better. 

Others, in various parts of the town, were, from time 
to time, appointed as their associates and successors, of 
some of whom, honorable mention might be made, but 



HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 43 

their increasing numbers renders the attempt inexpe- 
dient. 

The following incident may be taken as a sample of 
the moral integrity of the town officers at that day: 
At a state election, a certain individual oifering his 
vote, one of the board who knew him to be an illegal 
voter, began to question him, when an unscrupulous par- 
tizan whispered in his ear, " He is one of our party." 
The reply was, " I know no party here." He turned 
away, saying, " Upon my word, this is the most honest 
board I ever knew." 

JUDGES. 

The first Court of Common Pleas, held in Chenango 
county, was convened at the school-house, in the town 
of Hamilton, near the residence of Elisha Payne, June 
1798. Madison county, at that time was part of Che- 
nango. Isaac Foote, of the Eighth Township, now 
Smyrna, presided as First Judge, and held the office ten 
years.* 

In 1808, Joel Thompson, of Sherburne, succeeded 
him, and remained upon the bench several years, and 
was also a member of the Legislature. In 1813, John 
Gray, jr., of Sherburne, took a seat upon the bench, as 
Associate Judge. Tilly Lynde, also in 1816 , and Philo 
Robinson, in 1841. 

The first jail limits in the county, were established by 

* Judge Foote, was the first member of the Legislature from this 
region. He was appointed to represent the interests of the people in 
this vicinity, when it was included in the county of Herkimer. He 
held a distinguished place in the public eye, and won their confidonco 
and respect to such a degree, that all felt that the " Ship of State " 
would bo safe with such men on board. 



44 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 

the Court of Common Pleas, July 1799, at Sherburne 
Four Corners, adjacent to the residence of Josiah Eur- 
dy, occupying an area of three acres. The jail of the 
county was at Whitestown, until 1808. 

CIRCUIT COURT. 

The first Circuit Court was held on the 10th of July, 
1798, in the Academy in the town of Oxford. James 
Kent presided. There was no business transacted at this, 
nor the second terra, for want of litigants. 

STORE. 

The first Store was opened by James Elmore, about 
one and a half miles north of the village, on the farm 
now owned by Asa Foote, jr. He also hung out the 
first sign for an Inn, and built the first framed house in 
the town. He was the first Post Master appointed in 
the place. His commission bears date January, 1801, 
signed by Joseph Habersham, Post Master General. The 
first painted house in town was James Sherburne's. 

CARDING MACHINE. 

The first Machine for Carding Wool, was erected by 
Simeon Paddleford, in 1804, one mile below the village, 
on the Chenango river. It is said that this was one of 
the first two Carding Machines, brought into this coun- 
try. It was at the same place that the first establish- 
ment, in the Ninth Township, for fulling and dressing 
cloth, was set up by Aaron Mills. Before that time, 
Joseph Collins had a fulling mill in operation, in the 
Eighth Township, now Smyrna, which, probably, was 
the first mill of the kind ever erected within the present 
bounds of Chenango county. The first settler in the 



HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 45 

Eighth Township was Joseph Porter, who came in the 
same year as the Twenty Proprietors. 

WOOLEN FACTORY. 

The first Woolen Factory was erected by William 
Newton, in 1812, on the Handsome Brook, one mile 
north of Sherbm-ne village. It was twice bm-ned down 
and then abandoned. 

Joel Hatch's Machine Shop, was built the same year, 
on the same dam. The first Turning Lathe in the town, 
and probably, in the county, was set up by him, for the 
purpose of turning the various parts of Spinning Wheels. 
It consisted of a spring-pole, fastened over head, near 
the chamber floor. A cord attached to one end of it, 
then wound around the article to be turned, the lower 
end fastened to a foot-piece. Pressing this with the 
foot would cause the stick to revolve a number of times. 
On releasing the pressure, the spring pole would return 
to its former position, causing the stick to roll alter- 
nately, backwards and forwards. It was on such lathes 
that he and his master did their turning, and they were 
unacquainted with any other until a later day. 

Ox carts and sleds were the only vehicles they had 
for their accommodation, for several years. Their cart- 
wheels were many of them, made of one piece, cut from 
a large oak tree, with a hole bored through the centre, for 
the axle. Their cart and wagon wheels, when ironed at 
all, had the tire in pieces, spiked across the joints of the 
felloes. Whole tire were unknown at that day. Jacob 
Rees introduced the first two horse wagon into the to\\Ti. 

The first white male born in the town, was Lorenzo 
Hatch. I am aware that this is claimed for Justin 
Guthrie. He was born, per family record, in 1*792, and 



46 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 

Lorenzo Hatch, in 1793. The first settlers came in 

1792, and it was the uniform testimony of all who were 
then residents, that in that year, the wife of Abraham 
Raymond was the only white female in the town. The 
first white female infant was Abigail Raymond, born in 

1793. She now lives in Oregon.* 

The first death was a child of Nathaniel Austin, which 
was occasioned by its being scalded in maple syruj). The 
first death among the proprietors, was Joel Northrup. 
The last was Joel Hatch. 

PHYSICIANS. 

The first Physician was Dr. Lacy. He tarried but a 
short time. Dr. Asa White settled very early. He was 
eminently a practical man, possessing energy and skill 
to such a degree, that no other physician could success- 
fully compete with him. In the early days of his ride, 
he was called to visit a patient, residing about ten miles 
distant. His path led him through a dense forest, of 
about six miles. Midway, some pioneer had com- 
menced the erection of a log-house, which was so far 
completed as to be ready to receive the roof — a narrow 
doorway had been cut through one side. Receiving a 
bushel of corn, as part compensation, for his services, 
the Doctor set out on his return. Night overtook him 
soon after he entered the woods, when he was sere- 
naded and followed by a pacli of wolves ! Hurrying for- 
ward, he led his horse into the half-finished house, took 
a seat with his bag directly over the doorway, and 
defended himself and horse, by swinging a long pole 
backwards and forwards, until the dawn of day — the 

* She, with her husband, crossed the Eocky Mountains, some 25 
years ago, on horse-back. 



HISTOKY OF SHEBBUENE. 47 

wolves most of the time, in close proximity, making 
demonstrations of a determination to force their way 
into the inclosure. He died in 1818. His son, Devillo 
"White, took his ride, and maintains the ascendency to 
this day, and ranks among the first of his profession in 
the county. In 1804 or 5, the typhus fever prevailed 
extensively through the town, causing more deaths, in 
proportion to the number of inhabitants, than any sick- 
ness that has prevailed before or since. It was gener- 
ally attributed to the malaria arising from the decay of 
vegetable matter, as about that time, stumps and fallen 
trees, were very much rotted and began to crumble 
away. The effect of this was more marked in this town 
than elsewhere, because so great a number commenced 
simultaneously the work of clearing, the decay, and con- 
sequently the miasma, pervaded all parts of the town 
about the same time. Aaron Mills was the first person 
prostrated with this fever. He recovered. It was 
observed that strong robust constitutions, were as hable 
to be attacked with it as any others, and some thought 
more so. 

Dr. Asa White was the principal physician. In his 
management of this disease, he followed the standard 
medical works of that day, which directed the free use 
of stimulants, particularly wine and Peruvian bark. The 
fatality which accompanied this mode of treatment, was 
attributed to the virulence of the disease, until the sup- 
ply of bark, in this and neighboring towns, became 
exhausted. When, to the surprise of all, those cases 
which were, from necessity, treated without the stimu- 
lant, succeeded best. After this. Dr. White abandoned its 
use, (but not without opposition, from others of his pro- 
fession.) The fever soon became a manageable disease 
in all this region, which was, for a time, more or less 



48 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 

exposed to it from the same cause. It was a difficult 
matter to obtain the requisite assistance to administer 
to the necessities of the sick. There were instances of 
persons riding eight or nine miles, to relieve some fami- 
lies only one night, and returning the next day, at the 
imperative call of urgent cases near home. It was no 
uncommon event, to travel four or five miles for watch- 
ers, and convey them home the next morning. Their 
comforts and accommodations at that day, were exceed- 
ingly limited. Many of them had but one room in their 
houses, in which, four or five sick persons might be 
lying at the same time, at one end of the room, in the 
various stages of the disease, and the necessary cooking 
going on at the other. 

Rumors of this sickness circulating abroad, checked 
the tide of emigration for a time, and retarded the 
increase of the settlement. 

SCHOOL HOUSE. 

The first School House erected in the town, was 
located about one and a half miles north of the village, 
near the bridge on the Handsome Brook road. It was 
in later times designated " The Quarter School House." 
No trace of it now remains. The district embraced the 
whole town. Many would have to travel between three 
and four miles to reach it. The pupils sometimes num- 
bered between ninety and one hundred per day. From 
this district, others from time to time were formed, until 
the number had increased to twenty. The second 
School House was built, about one and half miles west 
of the village, near the residence of Daniel Newton. 
This district included all that part of the town lying on 
the west side of the river. Select Schools were early 
established and well patronized, especially during the 



HISTORY OF SHERBUENE. 49 

winter months. About 1840, a building of moderate 
pretentions was erected, and a charter for an Academy- 
obtained, which was maintained, with more or less fluc- 
tuations, until 1847, w^hen a Union School was organized 
by combining four districts, and locating the school in 
the village. This drew many from the Academy, who 
would otherwise have attended, which had the efiect to 
cause it to run down, and the corporation to give up 
its charter. After the Union School had been con- 
tinued about thirteen years, the distance, scholars living 
out of the village, were obliged to travel, and other 
causes combining, induced the old district, commonly 
known as the "quarter," by mutual consent, to with- 
draw, and they were accordingly set back as an inde- 
pendent district in 1859. 

GOSPEL AND SCHOOL LANDS. 

The act, authorizing the Surveyor General to survey 
and locate the Tw^enty Townships, was passed February 
25, 1789, and among other provisions, required him to 
mark two lots of 250 acres each, as near the centre of 
the Township as might be, to be reserved for religious 
and school purposes. These were afterwards sold by 
the State, to speculators, without proper reservations^ 
The intelligent and religious emigrants, who had taken 
up farms within the towns, remonstrated, and petitioned 
the Government with such energy and perseverance, 
that in 1811, the law-making power appropriated forty 
lots of 250 acres each, near Oneida Lake, which were 
divided among the towns interested ; and, as far as I 
am advised, have been sold, and the interest generally 
appropriated to the support of Common Schools. 

The lot awarded to Sherburne, was situated in the 
town of Sullivan, Madison county. Joel Hatch, Esq., 



60 HISTORY OP SHERBURNE. 

was appointed agent, to superintend the sale of these 
lands. It was twenty-three years after the passage of 
the law, appropriating these lands for the purposes above 
mentioned, before they became the absolute property of 
the towns, which was in 1814. 

The Permanent Fund, belonging to the town, for edu- 
cational purposes, is one thousand and eight hundred 
dollars, which is secured by Bond and Mortgage. 

LIBRARY. 

The settlers, before their removal to the Valley of the 
Chenango, feeling the importance of general informa- 
tion, and appreciating the necessity of providing the 
means of acquiring it, for the rising generation, formed a 
company, raised from their scanty means the sum of ten 
dollars, and appointed an agent to purchase suitable 
books, to form the neucleus of a future Public Library. 
This was styled Federal Library, and was maintained 
about thirty years. It had increased to nearly five hun- 
dred volumes, when, to the surprise and mortification of 
those who had maintained it from the beginning, a few 
individuals, who were mostly recent settlers, at an annual 
meeting (which was thinly attended) taking advantage 
of this circumstance, without regard to honor or moral 
honesty, ruthlessly voted to dissolve the same, and 
divide the books among themselves, thereby excluding 
all who had neglected to pay their annual tax at that 
meeting, from any participation in the division. The 
whole affair was a disgrace to the actors, and ought to 
go down to posterity as a monument to their shame. 

WEDDING. 

The first Wedding in the town was John Hibbard's, 
which took place about two years after the settlers came 



HISTOKY OF SHERBURNE. 51 

into the valley. There was no Clergyman, Justice of 
the Peace, or other officer legally qualified to adminis- 
ter at the altar, nearer than North Norwich, seven miles 
below — no carriage roads nor carriages, except ox-carts. 
There was then no alternative, but a ride on horse-back. 
Mr. Hibbard accordingly applied to Joel Hatch, saying, 
*' Mr. Hatch, I want to get your horse to go to North 
Norwich; Betsey Sartel and I have concluded to get 
married, and I want to go to Esq. Purdy's and have 
the slop over with." He took his intended bride behind 
him, rode down to North Norwich, and, as a conse- 
quence, they came back husband and wife. The first 
fruit of this marriage, was a pair of twins. 

Joel Hatch, Esq., being called upon, by Mr. Tillotson, 
to perform the marriage ceremony for him, referred him 
to the Rev. Roger Adams, who was the first settled 
preacher in the place. Mr. Adams readily complying 
with his wishes, mounted his horse, rode three or four 
miles over the hills into the north-east quarter of the 
town, through such roads as the primitive condition of 
the country furnished, and duly pronounced them hus- 
band and wife. The ceremony ended, the bride-groom 
inquired the amount of his fee. Mr. A. replied, " I never 
charge anything — they pay what they please." He 
thanked him heartily, adding, *' If Esq. Hatch had mar- 
ried me, I'll warrant it would have cost me a dollar." 
The divine waited on the magistrate the next morning, 
and notified him that his popularity was on the wane. 
Two or three weeks after, the bride-groom presented 
Mr. Adams with a new wash-tub. 

PARTY-RIDE. 

"When their sons and daughters began to mingle in 
social glee, as young gentlemen and ladies must and will, 



52 HISTORY OF SHEEBUENE. 

regardless of all inconveniencies that arise from the want 
of carriage roads, of splendid carriages, and correspond- 
ing equipages, they resolve to have a ride on horse-back, 
and go four or six miles tlirough a newly cut road, to 
make a call upon a neighbor, as every family, for miles 
around, are near neighbors, and well acquainted with 
each other. 

Every beau must furnish a horse for himself, and one 
for his lady, equipped with a side-saddle. In default of 
an extra horse, a pillion must be provided, lashed behind 
his own saddle, and his lady ride behind him. 

Thus equipped, each young gentleman starts for his 
lady ; arriving at her father's house, he finds her tidily 
rigged in garments of her own manufacture, from the 
spindle to the loom. She is soon ready, and climbs 
upon the top of some newly cut stump, or recently fallen 
log. The horse is led along side, for her to mount. At 
the moment she springs, the horse makes an unexpected 
movement, and she leaps to the ground ; nothing daunt- 
ed, she remounts, and makes another attempt, perhaps 
with better success ; off they start for the appointed ren- 
dezvous, merry and laughing. 

The scattered cavalcade gradually concentrates, until 
the whole troop greet and congratulate each other, in 
anticipation of the pleasures before them. They fall 
into line, chattering and giggling like a flock of black- 
birds — plunge into the wild forest — picking their way 
among old logs, stumps, and mud-holes, as best they can 
— now bowing their heads close to their horses' necks, 
to dodge an over-hanging half-fallen tree — now hauling 
to the right, and now to the left, to avoid this and that 
pool of mud and water — closely hugging some obtruding 
half trimmed log, in imminent danger of being precipi- 
tated into the mire below — now unhorsed by some pro- 



HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 53 

truding limb, with pride and spirit remounting, onward 
they move — now on the verge of some unbridged stream, 
they plmige down its short steep bank, calculating their 
chance of being precipitated over the heads of their 
horses into the stream below — now splashing through 
and defacing the crystal waters at their feet — now doubt- 
ing whether they shall be able to ascend the opposite 
and steeper bank, without coming out minus their horses, 
and themselves sprawling in the mud and water in the 
rear. The ladies dismount, and by the aid of bushes, 
and the help of each other, are enabled to ascend to the 
top. The young men, more delighted than otherwise, 
address themselves to their sport, eager to show their 
prowess. One of their number plunges forward, shout- 
ing and cheering his horse — which flounders and flounces, 
sending a due quantity of mud and water into the air, 
without partiality to horse or rider — the rest follow suit, 
with like success. With merriment they examine their 
wardrobe — " My shoes are full of mud and water," cries 
one — " So are mine," they all in chorus cry, with a vocif- 
erous laugh — right glad that their white stockings were 
left at home, if such an article as summer hose was own- 
ed by any of them. Their shoes are emptied of their 
contents, and, together w^ith their feet, washed in the 
running stream — their pantaloons undergoing similar 
ablutions, especially near their feet — faces and hands not 
forgotten. 

After gathering some of the wild flowers that adorn 
the banks of the stream, they mount their horses, and 
with more intense glee, move on. A beautiful spotted 
fawn is discovered crossing their path. " ! catch him, 
catch him !" from the lips of one and all. Some spur 
their horses in chase, others dismount, in hot pursuit 
they shout and rend the air with their cries, spurred to 
e2 



54 HISTOEY OF SHERBURNE. 

vigorous intensity, by the excitement the race and the 
occasion inspire. They soon lose sight of him, give 
over the chase, and resume their ride, vivaciously relat- 
ing their personal adventures in the scene. 

At length they rein up to a stout fence, made of large 
round logs, a few rods beyond which stands a well built 
log-house, looking as aristocratic as any in town. Dis- 
mounting, they let down a pair of bars, made of round 
poles, leap with agile step, their closely packed ends, 
and wend their way along a narrow grass plat, bounded 
on one side by a huge fallen tree, on the top of which, 
small poles and brush are piled, to guard and keep back 
intruding cattle from the garden, in the midst of which 
stands the mansion they are seeking. They rap : the 
response, " Come in," is quickly answered by a pull 
at the latch-string, and shove at the door, revealing 
the good woman of the house, busy with her cards, and 
her daughter "with cheerful industry filling every corner 
of the room, with the well understood music of the spin- 
ning wheel. The " How do you do ? and how do you 
do?" ended, the cards and wheel cleared away, the 
twig broom doing duty, the dust from the cards disap- 
pears, and they are seated with as much pleasure and 
heartiness, as ever reigned in any mahogany furnished 
parlor of the present day. " Where are the men-folks ?" 
one of the young gentlemen inquires. "They are down 
at the lower end of the clearing — I will send for them." 
" No, we will go ourselves and see how they are getting 
along." Seizing their hats, they are guided to the spot, 
by the " Whoa — haw — gee !" that echoes through the 
surrounding wood. They find them busy, rolling half- 
burnt logs into heaps. The usual compliments ended — 
*' We will finish this log-heap, and then go the house." 
" That's right — we will help you ;" and at it they go 



HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 65 

with right good will. One seizes a lever, ready at any 
moment to lend a helping hand. Here is a large log, 
evidently requiring more strength to roll than the far- 
mer and his two stout sons possess. It must be cut 
before it can be moved. One throws ofl" his coat, seizes 
an ax, and mounts the log. Knowing that every blow 
will be strictly scrutinized according to the well known 
rules of the art, he takes pride and pleasure in display- 
ing his talent on this occasion.' He having finished one 
side, another, with equal ambition, mounts and finishes 
the other. Then their united strength rolls it to its des- 
tined place. 

Their task ended, they return to the house, where, 
instinctively, they seat themselves around the door, 
under some shade, on logs, stumps, or whatever else is 
at hand, discussing their progress and plans for the future 
among themselves. Let us see what is going on in the 
house. The tea-kettle is hung over the fire — the kind 
mother says, " Come, my daughter, you make some 
short-cake." The guests with one united voice, volun- 
teer their assistance, for the spirit of industry, and help- 
one-another, reigns in-doors as well as out. Suiting 
their actions to their words, all are in lively motion, 
inquiring with exhilarated chatter, " Where is this ? and 
where is that ?" 

Here is the dish containing the ashes of burnt corn- 
cobs, the use of which they all w^ell understand. In its 
stead, at the present day, pearlash, saleratus, or soda 
are substituted. The short cake in due quantity and 
quality, is soon swelling before the fire. The materials 
for the sweet loaf are paraded, which, after a full inter- 
change of opinions, are maturely compounded in the 
most approved manner ; and having been subjected to the 
process of baking, it is temptingly ready for the table. 



56 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 

Now for the tea, what shall we have for tea ? " We 
have been out for some weeks." " So have we, and so 
have we," echoes from more voices than one — " there is 
none to be had in town." 

After discussing the respective merits of sage, burnt 
crust, roasted acrons, evans-root, and parched-corn, the 
decision is made in favor of crust coffee. " Shall we 
sweeten it in the pot, or let each prepare it to suit his 
own taste ?" The latter method is resolved upon. A 
cake of maple sugar, by no means diminutive in size, is 
produced. " Shall we cut it into small pieces ?" " No, 
let each one shave it off to suit himself" These impor- 
tant matters all settled, the table set out, noses counted, 
mathematical calculations made, it is decided that the 
cross-legged pine-table must be enlarged, or divide the 
guests and set the table twice. " Here are a couple of 
wide boards, lay them upon the table, then there will be 
room for all." " That's it ; see how nice they suit." 

The iron-bound chest is ransacked with care, until 
tw^o neatly folded diaper table-cloths are produced, 
which, after being duly admired for their evenness 
and figure, (for mothers, at that day, well knew how to 
make " fine twined linen,") are spread upon the table. 
Pewter plates and dishes, in whose polished surfaces, 
your disturbed hair could be seen and rectified, together 
with wooden plates or "trenchers," to make up the 
required number, are arranged in order. In quick suc- 
cession, the variously prepared viands, grace the table. 
The ham and eggs, dough-nuts, &c., which, if I have 
neglected to mention, they had not forgotten to furnish. 
The tea — no, crust-coffee — poured out, the gentlemen 
called, the table surrounded, all standing, the blessing 
asked, they take their seats. 

The gentleman of the house, as was the custom of 



mSTOKY OF SHEEBUENE. 57 

those times, takes the meat, and after cuttmg it into 
small pieces, returns it to the middle of the table. 
" Help yourselves." All are busily engaged, at what 
their hands find to do. The good man of the house, 
casting his eye around, perceiving that all have finished 
their repast, rises to his feet. In respectful reverence, 
they all imitate his example, and return thanks for all 
mercies received, and soon after address themselves to 
preparations for their return, as there is no time to be 
lost. The usual parting compliments ended, they are 
soon in the saddle, and under a shower of good wishes 
for their safe arrival home, set forward in high spirits. 

After the most difficult part of their road has been 
surmounted, the deepening gloom, and the declining 
sun, have the efifect to cause, in sympathetic harmony, 
their united voices in soft melodious strains, to echo 
in song. Suddenly, '' The bird of wisdom," perched over 
their heads, mingles his intense, unearthly note, causing 
an involuntary shudder, succeeded by peals of laughter, 
and the cry, " Who's brought up in the woods to be 
scared to death by owls !" Gradually they relapse into 
a moody, monotonous state of mind, when, instinctively, 
they place a wider space between each couple, as if to 
enjoy each their own partner's exclusive company. Their 
horses, by some invisible means, appear quite inclined to 
closer contact than usual, and their riders manifest no 
objection to be placed in nearer proximity to each other, 
and are soon engaged in all manner of chit-chat, evi- 
dently to their own satisfaction — now discussing the 
prospective marriage of this, and now of that couple, and 
perhaps their own. 

Thus with slow and measured step, quietly they move 
along — none in a hurry — all in a little world of their 
own — deeply intent upon its internal organization. As 



58 HISTORY OP SHEEBUENE. 

the setting sun begins to entangle itself among the tree- 
tops, they find themselves sooner than they are aware, 
and than they desired, awakened from their pleasing 
reverie, by their arrival at her father's house. Dis- 
mounting, they pause for a moment on the steps, and 
are engaged in close, low-toned conversation — whether 
to renew their vows, or pop the main question, I will 
not attemj^t to decide, nor intrude upon their privacy, 
but leave them to their anticipations and dreams of 
future joy and happiness. 

BRIDGE. 

The first Bridge across the Chenango river, was built 
near the junction of the Handsome Brook, to accommo- 
date foot passengers. Teams forded the stream a short 
distance below. It consisted of only one large tree in 
width, and three of them in length, leveled on the upper 
side with the hewing ax. Stakes driven a few feet apart 
near the outer edges, were interwoven with withs, to 
protect women and children from falling into the stream. 
A woman by the name of Lathrop, rode across the bridge 
with a child in her arms, to the astonishment of her 
friends and neighbors, in safety. It was considered a 
hazardous undertaking, even to lead a horse over the 
structure. A Frenchman, rather than ride through the 
river, made the attempt, when, imfortunately, the horse 
fell upon the bridge, with his feet dangling on both 
sides, and was prevented from falling into the water by 
the stakes and withs, which held him there, until the 
neighbors could be rallied, from a quarter to one mile 
around, in sufiicient numbers to lift and support the 
horse across the remainder of the bridge, which, with 
considerable difficulty, and great exertion, they were 
enabled to accomplish. 



HISTORY OP SHERBURNE. 59 

ARK. 

In 1803, there was built and launched into the Che- 
nango river, near the first bridge above the village, a 
boat, called by the inhabitants, an "Ark," for the pur- 
pose of conveying lumber down the river, with the 
expectation of finding a profitable market at Baltimore, 
in Maryland. Nathaniel Austin, and his brother, em- 
barked in this enterprise. The anxiety of the people to 
make the river available for purposes of navigation, was 
such, that they voted a tax upon the town, to clear it of 
obstructions. The launching of the Ark was a gala day. 
Men, women and children turned out to witness the 
performance. When the famous Ark was afloat, they 
must have a ride. Like the Ark of old, it was soon 
filled with living creatures, even to the dog. With tow- 
ing, setting and pulling by the willows, they were ena- 
bled to ascend the river towards half a mile, when, like 
boys after tugging and hauling their sleds to the top of 
the hill, they were well paid for their toil, by riding 
down again. It was freighted chiefly with pine staves 
and shingles, which did not prove as remunerative as 
they anticipated ; and they found more difiiculty in 
keeping the channel of the river than they expected, 
especially when it was on the rise. There were one or 
two other Arks built, for similar purposes, near the 
south line of the town, one of which was freighted with 
grain, which became damaged during the voyage, and 
was a total loss. Mr. Austin and his son Seymour, while 
on this expedition, were both attacked with the yellow 
fever, with which Mr. A. died,* his son recovered and 
returned home. 



* Mr. Austin was compromised by Shay's Rebellion in Massachu- 
setts, and was taken and sentenced to be hung. While confined in 



60 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 

CHENANGO CANAL. 

The Chenango Canal, running from Utica to Bing- 
hamton, nearly through the centre of the town, was 
commenced in 1833, forty years after the town was set- 
tled, and completed in 1837, at a cost of |1,'73'7,'703. 
When the bill of 1833 became a law, there was great 
rejoicing through the valley. In Sherburne, old boats 
were dragged from the river, mounted on runners, and 
drawn through the streets, by from four to six pairs of 
horses, with flags and streamers flying, drums, fifes and 
other musical instruments playing, which, together with 
the shouts and hurrahs from those assembled, gave 
unmistakable evidence of the joy that event occasioned. 

When we contrast the present with the past, we can- 
not wonder at the enthusiasm manifested by the people. 
Their market was at Albany. Such was the condition 
of the roads in the primitive days of the settlement, that 
it usually required from nine to thirteen days to perform 
the journey, with loaded teams. For every cwt., the 
cost of transportation would be from seventy-five cents 
to one dollar fifty cents, besides freight from New York 
city to Albany. Now, even from New York, the expense 
is only from twenty-five to fifty cents, leaving a saving 
to the people, of from fifty cents to one dollar on every 

prison at Springfield, Mass., his wife came the night before he was to 
have been executed, to make a farewell visit. She exchanged her cloak 
and hood \v'ith him, and in the evening tv/ilight called to the keeper 
to be released. Her husband walked out unsuspected and made his 
escape. She remained quiet until he had time to get beyond dan- 
ger of being recaptured, when she called again to be released. The 
jailor, finding he had no legal authority to detain her, she was allowed 
to depart. Mrs. Austin lived in town an honored and respected widow 
thirty years or more. She always maintained a modest reserve whea 
any allusion was made to the above transaction. 



HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 61 

cwt. exported or imported. Mr. Zacheus W. Elmore, 
who was an early merchant, relates that when he came 
into the place, 1801, he brought the second two-horse 
wagon into the town, and that he broke two axles be- 
tween here and Albany, and was nine days on the road. 

THE PRESS. 

The first News])aper published in the town and county, 
was the " Western Oracle," by Abraham Romeyn, at the 
Four Corners, in 1303. It was a single octavo sheet, 
containing few advertisements, and but little domestic 
news. Its pages wore in most instances, occupied with 
public documents, chiefly relating to the affairs of our 
nation with the French. 

The next was the " Olive Branch," printed on West 
Hill, by Phiuney Fairchild, May 1806. In 1808, John 
F. Fairchild became the sole proprietor. 

The " Republican Messenger " made its appearance in 
1810, pubished by Jonathan Pettit and James Percival, 
in the village of Sherburne. 

The " Sherburne Palladium " was issued in 1836, by 
J. W. Marble, in the village. 

" Sherburne Transcript " succeeded in 1855, published 
by James M. Scarritt. All these were ephemeral in 
their existence. 

CENSUS. 

According to the Census of 1800, seven years after its 
first settlement, Sherburne contained 1.282 inhabitants. 

In 1810 2.520 

1814 2.607 

1820... 2.609 

F 



C2 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 

1825 2.493 

1830 2.601 

1835 3.108 

1840 2.791 

1845 2.680 

1850 2.623 

1855 2.776 

The Census returns of 1855, give the cash value of 
farms $1,039,734. 

Improved acres 20.702, unimproved 5.544 acres. 
Cash valuation of stock $169,867. 
Tools and implements $38,332. 

There were 523 framed houses and 1 log, 2 stone 
buildings (should read 5) and 5 brick. 

According to the Census of 1830, there were 2.601 
inhabitants. In five years, 1835, owing to the influx of 
foreigners, occasioned by the building of the Chenango 
Canal, they amounted to 3.108, being an increase of 508. 
After the public works were completed, many of these 
settled in the town. In 1355 there were 183 Irish, 27 
English, and 14 Germans, amounting to 224 foreigners 
then residents in the town. 

Clark, in his history of the county, quoting from the 
Census returns of 1830, says, "There were four slaves set 
down in the enumeration, as belonging to Sherburne, 
and that no other town in the county contained any per- 
sons held in servitude ; and that three of the slaves held 
in Sherburne, 1830, had attained to the age of one hun- 
dred years." This is news to me. I have seen the day 
when I knew, and could name every individual residing 
in the town, and never knew but one person held as a 
slave, and he was only nominally such, having been 



HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 6S 

brought in by a Dutch family some twenty years after 
the settlement was commenced. The head of this family 
was heir to certain property, held upon condition that 
he should maintain the colored person in question, during 
his life, as he was judged incapable of acting for him- 
self. Not one of the Twenty Proprietors ever owned % 
slave, No resident, w^hite or colored, ever attained to 
the age of one hundred years. 

The settlers showed a marked zeal in establishing and 
fostering the Common School, the importance of which 
they deemed second only to the moral and religious 
training of the rising generation, with which it should 
go hand in hand, in order to prepare them for usefulnesa 
in their day, and enable them to form correct principles 
for their guidance in the management of public affairs, 
eventually to rest upon their shoulders. In reviewing 
the result, the honorable manner in which her sons and 
daughters have acquitted themselves, in every station 
they have been called upon to occupy, leaves Sherburne 
no cause to blush. For general intelligence, they would 
not suffer in comparison with an equal number in any 
community. Pass through the States and Territories of 
the Union, Sherburne has representatives in nearly, if 
not quite, two-thirds of these ; go to the shores of the 
Pacific, behold they are there ; enter our halls of legis- 
lation, her sons have been found here ; look into the pul- 
pit, many of them stand there, proclaiming the news of 
salvation through a crucified Redeemer, to a lost and 
ruined world ; turn to India's burning clime, there lie the 
mortal remains of one who, in obedience to her Saviour's 
commands, left father and mother, kindred and country, 
the wife of Rev. Mr. Little, an honored Missionary of 
the American Board;* cast your eye upon the judicial 

* Amelia, daughter of Wm. Newton, 



64 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 

bench, they have had seats there ; survey the Bar, many 
of them are filling that with honor and profit to them- 
selves, and it is to be hoped, without detriment to the 
communities in which they reside ; pass not by our Col- 
leges and Seminaries of learning, for they are there occu- 
pying the highest and most responsible stations ;* turn 
your telescope upon Jupiter's belts or Saturn's rings, 
behold ! some of them, in imagination, have wandered 
there — 

" Could plan new worlds without the least misgiving, 
But on this planet couldn't make a living." 

Would you learn more ? Wrap close your mantle of 
fur, steer for the frozen regions of tlic north, and among 
the tumbling mountains of ice, inquire of those who 
strike the harpoon — more than one of them are there. 

GRADUATES OF COLLEGE. 

Raymond Dixon graduated at Yale in 1807, and was 
the first citizen of the town, and probably of the county, 
who graduated from any College. He became a preacher 
of the gospel — died in 1861. Abraham Dixon, Yale, 
a lawyer, honored with a seat in the State Senate ; John 
H. Lathrop, Yale, Chancellor of the University of Wis- 
consin ; Hubert A. Newton, Yale, Professor of Mathe- 
matics in Yale College ; Isaac LaFayette Cushman, 
Yale, no profession — honored with a seat in the New 
York Legislature ; Julius W. Hatch, graduate of Hamil- 
ton, Lecturer on Astronomy ; Columbus Foster, gradu- 
ate of Union, fiirmer ; Charles Babcock, Yale, no pro- 
fession ; Alvin Lathrop, Hamilton, teacher. 



♦John H. Lathrop, Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin; 
Hubert A. Newton, Professor of Mathematics, Yale College. 



HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. Q$ 

CITIZENS WHO BECAME PREACHERS OF THE GOSPEL 

Ebenezer Raymond, graduate of Union ; Eleazer La- 
throp, and Isaac Adams, graduates of Hamilton ; Caleb 
Johnson, graduate of Hamilton, died before he had com- 
pleted his Theological studies. Lyman S. Rexford and 
"William Robinson, graduates of Yale ; Nathaniel Smitli, 

graduate of ; Blackleach Gray, ; Jared W. 

Fox, Shubel Carver, Jonathan Copeland, Hiram Leo, 

graduates of Oberlin ; Israel Foote, graduate of , 

Episcopal Rector ; Smith Curtis, Union. 

SHERBURNEITES ADMITTED TO THE BAR. 

John H. Lathrop, Joseph Guthrie, Benj. F. Rexford, De 
Witt Rexford, John Babcock, Joseph Benedict,* Pitt 
Lynde, Oliver M. Benedict, Warren Newton, Isaac New- 
ton, Nathaniel Foote, Wm. Hopkins, Wm. Lathrop, 
Julius K. Rose, David Follet, Herchell Hatch. 

GEOLOGY. 

From the Geological Report of the State, published 
in 1 842, by Lardner Van Vexem, we copy what relates 
to the town of Sherburne : 

The lowest rocks of the county are those belonging 
to the Hamilton group, (named after Hamilton in Madi- 
son county.) It contains the TuUy limestone, tlie Gen- 
esee slate, the Portage, tlie Ithaca, the Chemung and the 
Catskill groups. The whole of the Hamilton group is con- 
fined to the towns of Sherburne and Smyrna, and a strip 
extending along the Unadilla river, through Columbus 
and New Berlin, below the village of which it passes 
under the higher rocks. It is well exposed along Hand- 



* Author of " Beuedict'8 Treatise." 
f2 



66 HISTORY OF SHEKBURNE. 

some Brook, to the north east of Sherburne village, 
exhibiting a mass from sixty to one hundred feet thick, 
chiefly of the dark colored shale of the group, and 
abounding in its characteristic fossils. The falls in the 
creek are over the shale, which extends towards the 
mouth of the creek, and is lost under a covering of allu- 
vion and soil, being the most northern part of the Che- 
nango Yalley where seen. The same mass makes its 
appearance to the east of the village of Smyrna, beyond 
which, at a lower level, are those of the upper rocks of 
Hamilton Seminary, and of Ladd's quarry, on the Canal, 
above Sherburne. The ridge, from Madison county, 
composed of the Hamilton group, appears to incline 
rapidly near Sherburne, so as to admit the Sherburne 
flags to appear at the level which they present, at less 
than two miles below the village. 

Portage and Ithaca Groups. — Numerous quarries 
are opened in all the towns in this group, for building 
stone, and for flagging. The better kinds of the latter 
occur in the lower part of the group. Several points 
south of Sherburne were examined, among which was 
Mr. Skinner's quarry, where the flags were large and 
smooth, but the quantity of shale and slate upon them 
was considerable. At Church's quarry, about two 
miles from the village, they were more accessible, but 
not so good. The opening here is about twenty feet in 
depth upon a hillside, rising about forty feet above the 
valley, and showing dark blue or blackish slaty shale, 
with the sand stone. 

On page 160, he says: "Though but" little is exposed 
of the group in the county, there are four points of 
interest. The first is Ladd's quarry on the canal, near 
Madison county line, and is the continuation of the 



HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 67 

raDge of West Hamilton. The quarry is rich iu many of 
the fossils of the group. 

" The next point is the falls and banks of Handsome 
Creek, (should read Sulphur Springs Creek,) north of 
Sherburne. The water falls for sixty or more feet, and 
the sides of the Creek expose about one hundred feet of 
the finer kind of shale." 

On page 234, speaking of Sulphur Springs, he says : 
" A Sulphur Spring issues from the slate of the Hamil- 
ton group, at the foot of the Falls, on Handsome Brook, 
near Sherburne." 

Locating the Falls and Spring on Handsome Brook, 
is an error. They are on a stream, east of the village 
of Sherburne, called promiscuously Sulphur Spring, 
Harris or Mad Brook, which enters the Chenango river, 
about one mile below the village — the Handsome Brook 
nearly one mile above. 

CLIMATE. 

When the trees of the forest reigned monarchs of the 
soil, they exerted such controlling influence over the 
winds and storms of this valley, as to give them a differ- 
ent character from those of the present time. The rays 
of the sun being obstructed by these masses of foliage, 
rarefaction could only take place when the sun shone 
with its greatest warmth, at which time the humidity 
which had been collecting during cold and cloudy days, 
was taken up and condensed in large quantities. In 
these days, when a greater extent of the surface of the 
earth is exposed to the direct rays of the sun, evaporor 
tion goes on with more constancy and uniformity, and 
the sky is oftener overcast with clouds of less density, 
which discharge their contents in the form of rain or 



68 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 

snow, in much smaller drops or finer flakes, forming a 
noticeable contrast with storms of former times. Tho 
^arly showers would generally be seen rising in the 
western horizon, in a dark lowering cloud, advancing 
with greater or less rapidity. All knew that this por- 
tended a violent rain, and no time was to be lost in seek- 
ing a shelter from the drenching torrent. These clouds 
were frequently accompanied by flashes of lightning 
and peals of rolling thunder, far exceeding in sublimity 
those of the present day. The forest trees, acting as con- 
ductors, rendered the electrical phenomena compara- 
tively harmless. Accidents from this cause were almost 
unknown for twenty years or more, if we except rare 
cases, where men or cattle imprudently took shelter 
under tall trees. When the outpouring was over, the 
sun shone out as suddenly as it had been obscured, in 
brilliant contrast with the gloom which before prevailed. 

Sudder showers of rail., are not novi so marl<er! and 
frequent, they are more ur-zling, and an approaching 
shower is not, as a general rule, so distinctly foreshad- 
owed by the appearance of the clouds. When the snow 
had covered the ground at the commencement of winter, 
it usually remained three months or more, and the inhab- 
itants could and did rely upon having good sleighing 
for that length of time, with the exception of what was 
termed " the January thaw," which was almost as regu- 
lar and certain as if governed by fixed laws — usually 
taking place about the middle of the month, and con- 
tinuing two or three weeks. Those thaws are now more 
varying and uncertain. Sudden thaws during the winter 
months, are more frequent; as a natural consequence, 
winter grain is more liable to be injured by freezing and 
thawing, causing its cultivation to be in a great measure 
abandoned. 



HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 69 

Between the middle of October and the fifteenth of 
November, there used to be from nine to eighteen days 
of mild, balmy sunshine, usually termed Indian Summer, 
or smoky days. Their beauty and genial influence waa 
such, that their advent would be hailed with unusual 
delight. The peculiar features of that period are now 
less marked, and have changed their character and dura- 
bility, to such a degree, as scarcely to attract attention. 

According to the State census of 1855, four-fifths of 
the area of Sherburne have been brought under cultiva- 
tion. Along the banks of Chenango river, from the 
north line of the county to its junction with the Susque- 
hanna, Ave now rarely see trees of primitive growth. 
The consequence is, that an unobstructed avenue is left 
for winds to circulate up this valley, from south, to north. 
South winds, (such as we experience at the present day,) 
were unknown to the early settlers. Their severest 
storms were from the north-east, and the prevailing wind 
from the north-west. Both these appear now to be 
modified by the increasing prevalence of those from the 
south. The northeast winds have nearly disappeared, 
are less intense, and of shorter duration ; the west and 
north-west are more fitful, and at times assume the char- 
acter of a tornado, whose general direction is from west 
to east. Early settlers remember the time when the 
seasons were more uniform — when the snow as it fell 
upon the tops of stumps, would heap in cones twelve or 
more inches from base to apex, and stand there for days 
and even weeks, before the wind would disturb them. 

As the country becomes cleared, our rivers, brooks 
and rivulets have less water in them, than when their 
margins were skirted with trees. Manj|||f them, which 
now are dry most of the time in summer, would then 
contain more or less water throughout the year, and 



70 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 

many of our " mouutain streams " would flow more 
months than they now do weeks. 

It is supposed by some, that the cold winds from our 
northern lakes, especially Ontario, exert an influence 
upon the climate of this valley. This was more or less 
the case, in the early days of the settlement, when the 
prevailing winds were from that direction. But the 
south wind at this day overpowers and drives these 
back.* There is one peculiarity in the snow storms of 
Sherburne at the present time, which, probably, has 
some connection with the winds from the lakes. The 
snow falls decidedly deeper, near the north line of the 
town, than south of it. Sherburne is bounded north by 
the county of Madison, through Avhich runs in an east 
and west direction, a range of hills, nearly, if not quite, 
one thousand feet above the waters of the Ontario, and 
extending westward, nearly the whole length of the 
lake, and easterly along the valley of the Mohawk river. 
The cold winds, as they sweep over the northern seas, 
are rolled against and along the northern slope of these 
hills, where numerous clearings admit the rays of the 
sun, which warm their sides and tops to such a degree, 
as to rarefy the air from the lake, and cause its currents 
of mist to ascend into the cold regions of the clouds, 
when they are borne in an eastern direction by their 
own impetus, until checked by the south winds of the 
Valley of Chenango, near its head, where they are con- 
densed into snow and fall to the earth near the south 
line of Madison county. As the trees of the forest daily 
diminish, and the changes in the to]>ography of the val- 
ley gradually advance, and as the habits, manners and 
customs of the ^ople, rise in the scale of refinement and 

* Ontario, at the nearest point, is 80 or 90 miles north-west. 



HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. Yl 

extravagance, many of the " ills that flesh is heir to," take 
a new form, and require a corresponding change of medi- 
cal treatment ; and, although there are no diseases pecu- 
liar to this valley, the hardy, robust constitutions of early 
days, are seldom seen. The above mentioned prevalence 
of south winds, undoubtedly is the chief agent in prduc- 
ing these results. We have reason to believe that this 
will be modified by the multiplication of fruit and shade 
trees, and that the increasing value of timber, will so 
check its wanton destruction, that the Valley of Che- 
nango will continue to maintain its celebrity, as a healthy 
and agreeble place of residence. 

LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE. 

Sherburne is situated in 42 degrees and 44 minutes 
north latidude ; 1 degree and 36 minutes east longitude 
from Washington ; 96 miles west of the capitol of the 
State; about 90 feet lower than the head waters of 
Chenango river in Madison county ; and 546 feet above 
the level of the Erie Canal, at Utica 

INDIANS. 

The Valley of the Chenango, had from time immemo- 
rial, been the red man's hunting and fishing ground, and 
he continued it as such, until agricultural improvements 
banished the bear, the wolf, and deer from the valley. 

The Oneida Indians were the occupants when the emi- 
grants first came into it. They were a quiet, peaceable, 
inoffensive race. Men, women and children, soon became 
80 accustomed to their ways and manners, that the effect 
of their presence was that of pleasure, unalloyed with 
the least dread or fear, provided they were not under 
the influence of intoxicating liquors. 1 never knew an 
instance of complaint against any of them, for petty pil- 



72 HISTORY OF SHEEBURNE. 

fering. The productions of the field, garden and hen- 
roost, were more secure from their depredations at that 
day, than from those of the white people at this. In 
summer they roamed up and down the banks of the 
Chenango, in quest of game. 

In the winter, they built wig-wams in the vicinity of 
the settlers, and manufactured baskets and splint brooms, 
to sell to the inhabitants for provisions to sustain them- 
selves, until the opening spring, when they resumed- 
their accustomed practice of hunting and fishing. 

They exhibited considerable skill and ingenuity in 
making baskets and brooms, which were almost the 
only articles of manufacture they would attempt, and 
was usually done by the squaws. Their brooms were 
made generally of black-ash staddles, between two and 
three inches in diameter, pounded the length of the 
brush, until the grains would separate, and then split 
into fine strands ; or of w^ater beech, or birch, peeled 
into fine shreds, and then bound together with strips of 
the same. 

The settlers would frequently make them small pre- 
sents of articles of provisions, which the children were 
very fond of conveying, and receiving their thanks in an 
unknown tongue, or in half English and half Indian dia- 
lect, which to them w^as quite amusing. 

They appeared to have very limited fastidiousness in 
their intercourse with the inhabitants. If they wished 
to enter your house, the first you would know, the door 
would be noiselessly opened and their heads unceremo- 
niously thrust in, and in a low tone they would ask : 
"Want to buy broom?" receive your answer, and 
walk away with a fixed monotonous countenance, which 
seldom changed. They scrupled not [secretly if they 



HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 73 

could, to spy what was going on in your house, through 
any crevice they could find. The wife of one of the 
settlers, at a very early day, was seated before the fire, 
which was built against a few stones piled upon each 
other, in order to protect the building from igniting — 
large holes between the logs and stones being inclosed. 
She was waiting the return of her husband until dark- 
ness had spread its curtain around, with two small child- 
ren playing before the fire, when she discovered an 
Indian peaking, close by the fire, into her apartment^ 
without any apparent attempt at concealment. With a 
little natural excitement, she cried " peak-a-boo !" when 
he quietly retired. 

They were a shrewd people, not easily outwitted. A 
young gentleman of my acquaintance related, that after 
the war of 18] 2, as he was sitting on the piazza of an 
Inn, a young Indian came and seated himself by his side, 
in an easy, familiar manner, saying, "How do? how do? 
Don't you know me ? Ain't you Colonel P. ? Did'nt 
you command me at the battle of Queenstown ?" "!N'a, 
I never was in the army." " Me thought you was CoL 
P. — he brave warrior — he handsome man — you look just 
like him," tapping upon his shoulder, *' now treat — now 
treat." 

They would often be seen paddling their canoes along 
the river, which they used extensively for the purposes 
of navigation. They kept it free from obstructions, from 
Smith's Valley, in the town of Lebanon, Madison county, 
to its junction with the Susquehanna river. Their 
canoes were constructed of pine logs, made so thin and 
light, and so skilfully proportioned, that they would 
glide over the water with admirable grace and rapidity, 
and could easily be carried upon their shoulders from 
place to place. Their intercourse with the inhabitants 



14 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 

was peculiarly brief. They were never known to linger 
around their dwellings, in loaferish idleness for one half 
hour — their business or curiosity was soon satisfied, and 
they would depart as unceremoniously as they came. 

INDIAN RELICS. 

On the farm originally settled by Timothy Hatch, 
about one mile and a half north-west of the village, on 
the west side of the river, 30 or 40 rods from its bank, 
are to be seen, four or five round excavations in the earth, 
from four to six feet deep, measuring about the same in 
diameter at the top, lying close to each other ; on the 
edges of which were large trees standing, comparing in 
height and size, to the average dimensions of those com- 
prising the rest of the forest, which consisted mainly of 
hard maples, and was occupied thirty or forty years for a 
sugar orchard. 

While I was spending a few hours at their boiling 
camp, the celebrated Abraham Antoine, (who, a few 
years after, was exec; ad at MorrisviUe, Ma iison county, 
for the murder of one of his own race,) wao seen 
approaching. It was proposed to invite him to go and 
examine these, and see what he would say about them, 
to which he readily consented. After looking at them 
a moment, and running his eye up to the top of the trees 
standing upon their edges, he said : " It's a place where 
Indian bury corn great while ago." The trees have 
been cleared away, and the place more or less since 
plowed over. 

In an adjoining field, on the north, which has been 
long under cultivation, many stone arrow heads have 
been plowed up ; also stone chisels, hatchets, pestles 
for pounding corn, &c. ; and as late as 1846, a stone of 
a peculiar red color was found in the same field. It was 



HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 75 

about three eights of an inch thick, five inches long, 
rounded at each end, three inches broad at one, and two 
at the other, with a hole near the narrowest end, about 
half inch in diameter, and polished quite smooth on each 
surface. It is said that no stone of the same species was 
ever obtained this side of Mexico. It was undoubtedly 
worn for an ornament. 

When they were constructing the Chenango Canal, 
which is on the opposite side of the river, human bones 
were exhumed, which, with a few exceptions, would, on 
exposure to the atmosphere, crumble into dust. 

INDIAN FORTIFICATION. 

About four miles north of Sherburne village, and one 
mile west of the Handsome Brook, are the remains of a 
structure worthy the examination of antiquarians. It is 
an embankment of coarse gravel, built in the form of a 
horse-shoe — the open ends towards the north. It is 
about four rods wide between the outer ends, and seven 
or eight rods deep to the centre of the bow. From the 
lowest point in the centre, to the highest part of the 
embankment, is full twenty-five feet. There are embank- 
ments running from each extremity of the bow ; the one 
easterly, fifteen or twenty rods long, terminating in a 
swamp ; that on the west side is much longer, ending at 
the foot of a hill, nearly in the same range with the 
other, but disconnected from the main structure, by an 
opening two or three rods wide. In the front of the 
whole, is a low swampy piece of ground of small extent. 

A gentleman by the name of Champlin, who for- 
merly owned the farm on which it is situated, says he 
has frequently plowed upon the top of the bank, and 
thinks it is three or four feet lower than when he first 



76 IIISTOEY OF SHERBURNE. 

saw it, and that flint arrow points were frequently found 
in its vicinity. Finding arrow points is verified by other 
witnesses. 

It remains an open question, whether this is a natural 
or artificial structure. If artificial, for what purpose? 
It was originally crowned with trees corresponding in 
dimensions with those of the surrounding forest. The 
small extent of the area enclosed within its walls, is a 
serious draw-back to the supposition that this was an 
Indian fortification. In whatever light we view it, we 
cannot but consider it as a curiosity. 

WILD ANIMALS. 

Wild animals were Bears, Wolves and Deer, which are 
BOW entirely extinct. The last wild bear seen in town, 
was met and killed with an ax, one mile north of the 
Tillage in the Handsome Brook, by Lorenzo Hatch, the 
first white person born in the town. 

Eli Marsh used to relate, that early one morning, he 
heard a hog squealing, in a manner so unusual, in the 
woods near his house, that he took his gun and sallied 
out to ascertain the cause. He soon discovered a large 
bear sitting ' in state ' upon his haunches, in conscious 
pride of power and dignity, holding the hog upon the 
ground ; and on every exertion to free himself from his 
clutches, Bruin was cuffing him, first on one side of his 
head, and then on the other. This he would repeat at 
every attempt of his captive to extricate himself from 
his grasp — the slightest motion would bring the paw of 
his majesty about his ears with such force, that from 
necessity he would drop his head upon the ground, and 
remain as quiet as the nature of his situation would 
admit. 

Mr. Marsh was enabled to advance so near the animal, 



HISTOBY OP SHEEBURNE. 1*1 

on account of his attention being wholly drawn to his 
victim, as to get a close shot upon him, which he gave 
with such effect as to bring him to the ground. The 
porker, for a moment, appeared to be in a quandarj 
about the sudden relaxation of the grasp of his captor; 
slowly raising his head, and cautiously making a move- 
ment, he walked off a few feet, halted — looked round as 
if wondering what it all meant — turned back, grabbed 
him. by the ear, gave one indignant shake, accompanied 
by a significant grunt — then apparently satisfied that he 
had shown proper resentment, wheeled about and start- 
ed for the farm house upon a run. This bear measured 
over seven feet in length, and was killed within, or near 
the corporate bounds of the village. 

Wolves. — Wolves were more numerous and trouble- 
some, frequently making sad havoc among flocks of 
sheep, so much so, that the town voted from year to 
year, a premium of ten dollars a head for every full 
grown Avolf killed, until their depradations ceased. The 
last wolf killed in town, was by Smith M. Purdy, Esq. 

Pantheks. — I never heard of one being seen in the 
town, but certain effects and frights which were now 
and then encountered, were supposed to have been 
caused by the panther. Young cattle were sometimes 
found killed, under circumstances which led to the belief 
that they had been slain by some ferocious animal, other 
than the bear or wolf.* 



* Since writing the above, Mr. Benjamin Church has informed mo, 
that while passing through a piece of woods, one and a half miles 
east of the village, at a late hour one rnoor.-light winter's evening, ho 
distinctly saw a panther in the path directly before him, reared upon 
his hind legs. By swinging his hat, and giving as shrill a shout as 
he could, he so frightened the animal, that he gave a sudden spring, and 
f2 



78 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 

Deer. — Deer were occasionally taken for twenty or 
thirty years, and the recollection of the saddle of venison 
smoking upon the table, would almost reconcile us to 
the idea of a return to the days of Nimrod, log-houses, 
and spinning wheels again. 

Beaver. — Beaver were in a few instances caught hj 
the Indians, but soon disappeared. 

Otter. — Otter were more plenty, and occasionally 
taken, forty or fifty years after the settlers came in, but 
at this day few traces of them are to be seen. 

Hedge Hogs. — A few hedge-hogs were killed, at an 
early day, but have long since been exterminated. 

Foxes, Raccoons and Rabbits. — Foxes, Raccoons 
and Rabbits are yet caught, but comparatively rare. 

Flying Squirrels. — Flying Squirrels were frequently 
seen, but at this day seldom if ever. 

Skunks. — Skunks were not original inhabitants. 
They did not honor the town with their company, until 
some fifteen or twenty years had elapsed. 

Venomous Reptiles. — Of Venomous Reptiles, none 
were ever known in the town. 

BIRDS, 

Quails. — Quails were repeatedly seen in flocks at an 
early day, but are now extinct. 

Black Birds. — Black Birds, in large bodies, would 
grace our forests, but now in greatly diminished num- 
bers, and generally of a smaller species. 



disappeared in the woods. His first leap was found by measurement 
the next day to have been twenty feet. 



HISTORY OP SHERBURNE. 79 

Wild Pigeons. — Wild Pigeons in successive flocks, 
would be seen for hours at a time, passing overhead 
with great rapidity, but now their visits are few and far 
between. 

Wood Ducks. — Wood Ducks would often be seen 
making their nests, in bodies of old decaying trees, but 
now seldom, if ever. 

Partridges. — Partridges were plenty and frequently 
caught, but now in diminished numbers. 

Hawks. — Hawks were daily seen in considerable num- 
bers, sporting on the wing for hours at a time, a circum- 
stance which, at the present day, has no parallel. 

« 
PRODUCTS OF THE SOIL. 

The trees of the forest consisted of Beech, Birch, 
Hickory, Ash, Elm and Basswood, with large Oaks, 
white, black and red, standing here and there, in tower- 
ing grandeur like so many aged sentinels ; and tall and 
stately Pines, which, if now standing as they then stood 
on certain localities, would sell for more than the lands 
they occupied, with all their improvements. On the hills, 
were Hemlocks, interspersed with orchards of sugar 
Maples, on which the inhabitants depended for their 
main supply of sugar for a number of years. Chesnuts, 
although more or less plenty in the lower part of the 
county, are unknown in the town, excepting on a few 
lots bordering upon the towns of North Norwich and 
New Berlin. The Whortleberry also, is rarely seen 
north of the southern boundary of the town. 

Apple-trees were found near the river, which were 
supposed to have originated from seed accidentally scat- 
tered by the Indians, and bore fruit for half a century. 
The Apple and Pear, improve as the country grows 



80 HISTORY OP SHERBDRNB. 

older. The Peach and Quince never did thrive in this 

locality. 

Thorn-apples, of three-fourths of an inch in diameter, 
were not uncommon, which the inhabitants frequently 
cooked. The largest kinds were of rich, yellow color. 
When ripe they exhaled an agreeable odor. This fruit 
appears to come to its greatest perfection in the shade, 
for, as soon as the lands are cleared around them, they 
rapidly diminish in size and odor, and become unpala- 
table. 

Meadow Plums of good quality were numerous. 

The Gooseberry, smooth and prickly, together with 
Black Currants of a nauseous flavor, abounded on the 
flats. 

A few Red Currants were found, supposed to have 
been scattered by birds or Indians. 

Wild Onions were , plenty, on the low grounds near 
the river, in beds of various dimensions — their bottoms 
seldom exceeding half an inch in diameter — and were 
frequently gathered and cooked by the inhabitants. 
They are now extinct, or nearly so. 

Leeks were very numerous and annoying to dairy 
women, on account of the nauseous and disagreeable 
flavor imparted to the milk, when, in grazing, the cows 
fed upon their tops. It would taint their butter to such 
a degree that it could not be eaten, without first biting 
a piece of the root. In eating milk, in any form, all 
all would resort to this, before that otherwise delicious 
article could become palatable. They are almost, if not 
entirely, eradicated. 

The Ginseng, Sweet Scisley and Tallow roots, were 



eiSTOBY OF SHERBURNE. 81 

often met with, but at this day, it is doubtful whether a 
root of any of them can be found. 

Potatoes. — Humbolt, in the history of his travels in 
South America, remarks that the Potatoe was before the 
arrival of the Spaniards, in use in Chili, Peru, Quito and 
New Grenada, and seems to think those countries the 
original source of it ; and adds that Sir Walter Raleigh 
found it in Virginia, in 1584, and raises the question, 
whether it was introduced there, from the North or 
South ? One thing is certain, they were found in the 
town of Sherburne, by the emigrants, in various locali- 
ties — the root under, rather than over, half inch in 
diameter. Conversing witli an octogenarian,* who has 
resided in the town since 1795, he remarked, "that 
Potatoes were so plenty that no one need have starved, 
in the season of them, if he had nothing else to live 
upon," adding they were small. They covered the 
ground extensively, on both sides of the river, and 
around the mouth of the Handsome Brook. Abra- 
ham Raymond's family, by repeated plantings, obtained 
fair sized Potatoes from them, which, after they had 
come to maturity, were gathered promiscuously with 
others, and no further notice taken of them. Cornelius 
Clark, also raised from the Potatoe plant found on his 
lot, full sized Potatoes, which became part and parcel of 
his supply, from year to year. They were exterminated 
mainly, by cattle feeding upon their tops. At that early 
day, every rood of ground reclaimed from the forest, 
must be appropriated to raising grain, roots and vege- 
tables, to sustain themselves and their cattle through 
the winter. For a number of years, they were obliged 
to cut trees, on the buds and small twigs of which, by 



Asa Northrop. 



aa HISTORY OP SHERBURNE. 

'* browsing," their cattle were enabled to eke out a pre- 
carious living. Their only resource in summer, was to 
strap a bell on the leading cow and let their cattle run 
at large in the woods ; as a consequence, in grazing, 
they would crop the Potatoe plant, and by so doing, 
destroy the blossom which produced the seed, from 
which the root was annually propagated. The Potatoe 
being so near the top of the ground, would be annihi- 
lated every winter by freezing, which accounts for their 
diminutive size, being reproduced only from the ball 
each year. The inhabitants, understanding but little of 
its early history, or the philosophy of its propagation, 
generally discarded it as a useless weed, and would 
allude to it only as the wild Potatoe. 

DISTILLERIES. 

There have been nine or ten Distilleries and one Brew- 
ery established in the town, all of which, save one, it is 
generally believed, have proved to their owners, an 
unprofitable investment. One was burned down ; one 
man lost his life in another, by being scalded with steam. 
Three or more of the owners of these establishments 
died drunkards. 

The town has wiped the stigma of manufacturing 
" fire water " from her escutcheon, about twenty years, 
and the county for nearly the same time. According to 
the State Census of 1855, there was not a Distillery in 
the county of Chenango. The following extract from 
Spaiford's Gazetteer, of the State of New York, pub- 
lished in 1813, may not be inappropriate here: "While 
the people of the county are entitled to credit for their 
Common Schools and social regulations, they ought to 
exclude a multitude of small Distillers. No invidious 
discrimination prompts this remark too generally neces- 



HISTORY OF 6HEKBURNK. 83 

eary throughout the State, but thinking and sober men 
would do well to consider the tendencies of these little 
establishments, and observe their effects in a neighbor- 
hood. Will they fail to contract habits of drinking 
more than is conducive to health or comfort, when a 
jug of whiskey is constantly at hand, or can be had in a 
few minutes, fresh from the Distillery ?" Clark, in his 
history of the county, remarks: "As Mr. S. compli- 
mented our citizens highly, in 1813, except they patron- 
ized Distilleries, and as they had not one of these estab- 
lishments in the county, in 1845, it follows, we must be 
an unexceptionable people, in this latter year. Long 
may we continue so." 

The pioneers considered it very essential to their 
health and comfort, to have ardent spirits with them, in 
order to " warm them when too cold, or to cool them 
when too hot." Accordingly they purchased a barrel 
of rum in company, and brought it into the valley the 
first year when the twenty proprietors came on to make 
a beginning, and left it in the care of Abraham Ray- 
Tnond, who placed it outside of his shanty, and built a 
roof over it of bark and brush. This building you will 
recollect, was near the mouth of the Handsome ]>rook, 
and on the east side of the river. A daughter of Mr. 
Raymond's, only seven years of age at that time, relates 
to the writer sixty years after, that she had somehow 
imbibed the idea that liquor was very bad for the 
Indians, and that she had no fear or dread of their pres- 
ence, if it was kept from them. Hearing them paddling 
their canoes along the river, and expecting a visit from 
them, she flew to the rum barrel, and covered it up in 
the best manner she could, and watched the issue as if 
her life depended upon the result. Their swarthy vis- 
ages — their half clothed bodies — their tomahawks and 



84 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 

knives suspended from their belts, were all harmless in 
her eyes, provided they did not discover the hidden 
barrel. They landed, walked up to the hut, and looked 
around, but finding no one there except Mrs. Raymond, 
and two or three small children, quietly returned to their 
canoes and departed ; the girl, in the mean time, con- 
gratulating herself for her prudence and discretion, as 
having thereby saved herself and mother, from the tom- 
ahawk and scalping knife ! At that day, the use of 
intoxicating liquors was almost universal. It would be 
considered a breach of hospitality, not to present the 
bottle to their friends and neighbors at almost every 
interview, especially if they were rendering assistance 
as laborers or otherwise. It had grown into a proverb? 
" as bad as a raising without rum," which they frequently 
applied, when they wished to draw a disparaging com- 
parison. Whenever they assembled to assist at the 
raising of any building, before they commenced opera- 
tions, the bottle or jug must be passed around, each 
drinking directly from its mouth, and handing it to his 
neighbor, if this had been neglected, they would take 
their places and wait the order to " Heave O ! heave !" 
when, witfi much apparent exertion, they would not be 
able to make any progress. The master workman would 
call for the bottle, after which, they were able to finish 
their work with ease and alacrity. 

If my recollection does not fail me, there was but one 
of the twenty proprietors, who might be considered as a 
subject of '' king alcohol," and he not sottish and brut- 
ish, but occasionally under his power, although there 
were too many of that class in town. In 1815, the town 
voted to petition the legislature, to pass laws " to 
prevent men from drinking," (intoxicating liquors.) I 
believe nothing furilier was done about it at that time, 
except to forwai'd the petition. 



HISTORY OP SHERBURNE. 85 

It is not to be disguised that they paid too much tri- 
bute to his majesty^ by allowing themselves to go in the 
way of temptation, not duly considering that his ranks 
are always recruited from the sober and temperate part 
of community. 

CHURCH. 

The fathers, rdth their families, arrived Saturday 
night, March, 1793. They assembled for public relig- 
ious worship, on the second Sabbath after; and it has 
been continued by them and their descendants, without 
intermission from that day to this, whether they had 
the preaching of the Word or not. A Congregational 
Church was organized the 6th day of July, 1794, by 
Rev. Mr. Campbell, consisting of the following indivi- 
duals : Nathaniel and Bethiah Gray, Elijah and Sarah 
Gray, Abraham and Betsey Raymond, Timothy and 
Ruth Hatch, Josiah Lathrop, Eleazer Lathrop, Mabel, 
w^fe of Newcomb Raymond, and Ruth, wife of Joel 
Hatch, Melissa, wife of James Raymond, Ezra Lathrop 
and Mariam his wife. Nathaniel Gray and Abraham 
Raymond, Avere chosen Deacons. Although the above 
differs from the printed list of the members of the First 
Church, it is believed to be as correct as can be obtained. 
The records having been burned, positive accuracy 
cannot be claimed. March 15, 1798, the society was 
incorporated The First Congregational Church and 
Society of Sherburne. Eli Marsh, Joel Northrup and 
Orsamus Holmes were elected Trustees. This was the 
first church and society formed in this region. There 
were only three churches organized previous to this in 
western New York, and these but one year earlier.* 

* Hotchkin's History. 
H 



86 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 

Rev. Blackleach Burritt preached the first sermon in 
the town and county, 1792 — he tarried but one week. 
It was thirteen years after their arrival, before they had 
a settled pastor. During these years, this and other 
churches subsequently formed in this region, were occa- 
sionally supplied and counseled, by missionaries sent 
and supported by churches in Connecticut and Massa- 
chusetts. They would be received w^ith marked atten- 
tion and unusual delight. Their advent would be hailed 
as an era, long to be remembered. Messengers would 
be sent in every direction, untill all, however scattered 
or remote, had heard the 7iews. Such was their hunger- 
ing and thirsting to hear the living preacher, that, at the 
time appointed, the women and the aged would be seen 
on horse-back, slowly wending their way among the 
trees of the forest ; and pedestrians of both sexes and 
all ages filling up the picture, until they arrive at the 
place appointed. " Their house of worship has no tall 
spire pointing to heaven — no bell to summon the people 
to prayer — no ceiled walls, nor cushions filled with soft- 
est down." Its walls are round logs, its roof of boards, 
or perhaps of bark. When their increasing numbers 
require a more commodious building some newly erected 
barn would be substituted, until school houses were 
built. Rev. Nathan B. Darrow was the first minister 
employed by the peoj^le. He 'was engaged to preach 
one year, and also to teach a w.inter school, which num- 
bered for weeks, over ninety scholars per day. lie set- 
tled in Homer, Cortland county, Feb. 1 803. Four or five 
years after, he removed to Ohio, where he died many 
years since. ^ 

During these days, peace and harmony prevailed in 
the church. It would almost literally be said, that they 
saw "eye to eye;" but alas for poor human nature! 



HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 87 

when meeting and school houses began to be topics of 
conversation, they found here an entering wedge of dis- 
cord; they could not be agreed upon their location, 
especially the meeting house. Enough was said and 
done to demonstrate that they, in common with the rest 
of human kind, possessed selfish and depraved natures. 
They had their failings, who has not ? 

The Chenango river, dividing the town nearly through 
its centre, those on the west side argued that the church 
ought to be built there, in order to accommodate the 
people of Smyrna, which was at that time part of Sher- 
burne. Those on the east side contended that the town 
would in time be divided, and in that case the house 
would be quite one side of the centre of business and 
population. A council was called, many arguments 
advanced pro and con, but all to no purpose. In 1802, 
those on the west side of the river withdrew, joined 
with Smyrna and formed a Church, styling themselves 
The Second Congregational Church and Society of Sher- 
burne. They built a house of worship on what is known 
as West Hill. This w^as the first house erected for relig- 
ious worship within the present bounds of the county of 
Chenango. Rev. Joshua Knight was their first and only 
settled preacher. Four or five years after, the Eighth 
and Ninth Townships were divided — the Eighth taking 
the name of Smyrna. From this time, the Church and 
Society began to wane. The death of Mrs. Knight, and 
the marriage of Mr. Knight to her daughter, who had 
lived in his family, and had uniformly addressed him as 
her " father," resulted in his speedy dismissal from his 
Church, and accelerated its removal to the village of 
Smyrna. It is creditable to the Church and Society, 
that this affair caused no division among them. Although 
Mr. Knight labored strenuously in his own defence, he 
carried no party with him. 



88 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 

Those on the east side of the river, which are the pre- 
sent Church, located their house one and a half miles 
north of the village, in 1803 or 4, near the residence of 
Asa Foote, jr. In 1810 it was removed to the village. 
After it had been moved about half the distance, the 
interest taken in the operation was such, that the ladies 
must have something to do about the matter. Accord- 
ingly, one beautiful morning, they were assembled, 
and placed themselves at the levers, the word was given 
to 'heave,' when the building was seen to move some feet, 
amidst lively cheerss from the gentlemen around. How 
much help they had from some unobserved corner, it 
may not be necessary to relate. 

They worshiped in this house, nine or ten years, before 
it was lathed and plastered, or in any measure done off 
inside. The seats, at first, were loose boards, in their 
rough state, resting on blocks. Even the pulpit had 
never seen the smoothing plane, if we except the top 
shelf or table, and the seat. For two or three years, it 
was not glazed around the galleries, and for the first one 
or two winters, some of the windows were not even 
boarded up. A certain clergyman from abroad, who 
occupied the pulpit, (which was nearly on a level with 
the gallery,) one stormy winter's day, after he had 
closed the service, thus addressed the congregation : 
" It is a shame for any people to let their minister stand 
in his pulpit, with the winds blowing directly upon him, 
while they are secured from the storm below. You 
ought, at least, to do as much as to board up the wind- 
ows in the galleries." This hint was duly attended to 
before the next Sabbath day. 

It was over twenty years, before stoves were intro- 
duced. The only provision for their comfort, was foot- 
stoves, which were filled with coals, before they left 



HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 89 

home. At intermission, they would resort to the near- 
est dwellings, to warm themselves before their ample 
fire-places, and replenish their dishes of coals for the 
afternoon service. They occupied this house for more 
than half a century. While yet a few of the venerable 
fathers remained, the subject of building a new house 
was gently broached ; but out of deference to their 
strongly expressed attachment to the old house, and 
the cherished associations connected therewith, the 
subject was waived, until the last of them had been 
"gathered to their fathers," which was in 1855. Their 
successors, in 1857, erected a new house, better adapted 
to their circumstances and the times, which was dedi- 
cated m June, 1858. 

The first settled pastor was Rev. Roger Adams. He 
was installed August, 1806. An interesting revival, by 
which the church was quickened and enlarged, followed 
as the fruit of his labors. Mr. Adams' voice failing, he 
was obliged to relinquish preaching, and was accord- 
ingly dismissed in 1809. 

His education was limited. He was modest and unas- 
suming. His style and matter were plain, forcible and 
convincing. He was not a great, but a good man, win- 
ning the affections of all who knew him, and well calcu- 
lated to foster and promote union among brethren. 

Their next settled pastor was Rev. Abner Benedict, 
who was installed in 1811. During his ministry, there 
were thirty or forty added to the church. He left in 
1813. He was the antipode of Mr. Adams, having the 
advantage of a good education. He was much inclined 
to hold forth the terrors of the Law, and harp (exces- 
sively, perhaps,) upon predestination and election. He 
was a Boanerges. His matter and manner would often 
h2 



90 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 

startle weak minds, and offend those less favorably 
inclined, creating for him warm friends, or strong 
opposers. 

Rev. John Truair, their third settled pastor, was 
installed 5th July, 1815. During his ministry, in 1816, 
there were about one hundred added to the Church. In 
1819 and 20, there was another addition of one hun- 
dred and nine. He was dismissed in 1820. 

Mr. Truair was a self-made man, and of Spanish 
descent. (His father, when quite a lad, emigrated to 
this country, and was sold for a limited period, to pay 
his passage.) He possessed a fearless, untiring energy, 
and unaided, persevered until he had acquired a good 
academical education. His natural talents were of a 
superior order. He was apt and appropriate, on any 
emergency. He spoke with a rolling eloquence, that 
would rivet the attention of his audience at times, to 
such a degree, that you may almost hear the dropping of 
a pin. At the close of a rousing discourse, one of his 
hearers remarked to another, as they were leaving the 
house, " I hate to hear a man preach as if he was mad." 
This coming to the ears of Mr. T., he announced as his 
text the next Sabbath morning, " I am not mad, most 
noble Festus, but speak forth the words of truth and 
soberness." In the pulpit, he had few superiors ; out of 
it, some felt that he was not as careful as he ought to 
be, to avoid, at least, the appearance of evil. A mother 
in Israel, one of his admirers, remarked, " He ought to 
go into the pulpit, and stay there." 

Rev. I. N. Spraguc was installed June 7, 1825. Dis- 
missed Sept. 7, 1834. In 1831, there were about ninety 
added to the chuich, by the blessing of God upon his 
labors. Dec. 14, 1827, his dwelling-house, together with 



HISTORY OF SHERBtJBl^fi. 91 

most of its contents, including the book of Records and 
Sacramental Vessels, belonging to the chm*ch, was pro- 
videntially destroyed by fire. In consequence of this 
calamity, the church and community are deprived of 
many of the statistics and facts relating to its history, 
for the first thirty-three years. A committee was ap- 
pointed by the church to remedy this misfortune in the 
best manner practicable. Their report is, undoubtedly, 
the most reliable history of that period, which can be 
obtained. 

George E. Delevan was installed pastor of this church, 
14th of March, 1838, and was dismissed in 1839. 

Amos C. Tuttle was settled October 30, 1845, and dis- 
missed September, 1853. During his ministry, the 
church enjoyed two interesting revivals, by which there 
were about eighty added to its communion ; and passed 
through a trying ordeal, arising out of the anti-slavery 
excitement. About sixteen of their number presented 
a petition to be dismissed from her watch and care, in 
order to form themselves into a separate body, assign- 
ing as a reason why they wished to withdraw from her 
fellowship, that the church would not conform to their 
views of the matter, religious or political, accompanied 
with such demands and ultimatums, that out of self-re- 
spect and due regard to her obligations to the Great 
Head of the Church, she refused to grant their request. 

In the early part of the excitement, the church had 
explicitly defined her position, by passing a series of 
resolutions upon the subjct of slavery, which are record- 
ed in the following words : 

" Whereas, The subject of Slavery is one of deep and intrinsic import- 
ance to every American Christian, and is now agitating the public 
mind throughout the land, we, as a church, feel it to bo both our dutf 



92 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 

and privilege to make a public expression of our views in reference tx) 
it. Therefore 

'■^Resolved, That we consider the enslaving of one part of the human 
family by another, as a gross violation of the most precious and sacred 
rights of human nature — as utterly inconsistent with the law of God, 
which requires us to love our neighbor as ourselves — and totally 
irreconcilable with the spirit and principles of the gospel of Christ, 
which enjoins that ' All things whatsoever that ye would that men 
should do unto you, do ye even so to them.' Slavery, we believe, 
creates a paradox in the moral system. It places rational, accounta- 
ble and immortal beings in circumstances w^here they have not the 
power of moral action. It makes them dependent on the will of 
others, whether they shall receive religious instruction — whether 
they shall know and worship the true God — whether they shall enjoy 
the ordinances of the gospel — whether they shall perform the duties 
and cherish the endearments of husbands and wives, parents and 
children, neighbors and friends — whether they shall preserve their 
chastity and purity, or regard the dictates of justice and humanity. 
Such are some of the consequences and evils of slavery — consequences 
and evils not imaginar}' — not arising from an abuse of the institution, 
but which connect themselves vrith its very existence, and are insep- 
arable from it. If, in any instances, the slave does not suffer aU these 
evils, as we believe there are many, it is owing to the humanity of 
the master, rather than to any inherent righteousness in the system 
itself. The slave is deprived of his natural rights, degraded as a 
human being, liable, to have inflicted upon him all the hardships and 
injuries which inhumanity and avarice may suggest. Such being the 
system of slavery, we regard it as a sin against God and man, and do 
feel it to be our duty to use our honest, earnest and unwearied endea- 
vours in all suitable ways, to remove its evils from our land and 
throughout the world. 

'■^Resolved, That, holding as we do, that American Slavery is a sin 
against God and man, we cannot invite to our pulpit a minister who 
is actually a slaveholder, and approves of the system ; nor invite to 
our communion an individual holding a Uke relation to the system. 

^^ Resolved, That, great as we believe the evils of slavery to be. and 
much and earnestly as we desire its removal, we do not beheve that 
its evils would be mitigated, or its abolition hastened by gatherings 



HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 93 

for political eflfect on the Sabbath, and therefore we cannot approve or 
countenance gatherings for such purposes, on that sacred day. 

'^Eesolved, That, as a church, we do not feel called upon to express 
an opinion of any system of political action for the removal of slavery, 
believing, as we do, that its political bearings should be settled by us 
as citizens, in connection with our fellow citizens, and not as an 
ecclesiastical body." 

The church adopted these resolutions, with the 
expectation that they would satisfy all parties, and 
produce peace and concord among the brethren. In 
this they were disappointed. About forty withdrew, 
formed themselves into a separate body, thereby break- 
ing the covenant by which they were bound to the Great 
Head of the Church and his people, erected a house of 
worship, labored with zeal to build themselves a place 
and a name, but to no purpose. They speedily ran down, 
sold their house, and are scattered, more or less, through 
the land, and generally remain isolated from all church 
relations, like sheep without a shepherd. Five only have 
returned, after the lapse of fourteen or fifteen years, to 
the bosom of the church, which they had repudiated. 

Rev. Archibald McDougal was installed February 14, 
1854. Dismissed 1860. 

The church, at an early day, was accustomed to assem- 
ble all the children of its members, at the commencement 
of every nev/ year, for the purpose of having close per- 
sonal conversation with each, upon the subject of their 
souls' concern and future well being. They continued 
this practice until their increasing numbers rendered it 
impracticable, when Sabbath schools took their place. 
It was a general custom among them, to require their 
children to commit to memory the Assembly's Short 
Catechism. Nothing short of great accuracy in the 
answers would be accepted. With few exceptions, they 



94 HISTORY OF SHEEBURNE. 

entered, early in life, some branch of the vineyard of the 
Lord, and are useful members of the Church and State, 
an honor to their parents, honored and esteemed by the 
communities in which they reside. 

The present number of communicants, is one hundred 
and sixty five ; and of Sabbath school scholars, one hun- 
dred and ten. 

BAPTISTS. 

The first Baptist Church was founded June 24, 1802. 
It consisted of twenty-four members, of whom, one only 
is now living. Their first house of worship was erected 
in 1818, east of Earlville, on the dividing ridge between 
the Chenango valley and the Handsome Brook, near 
the south line of the town of Hamilton. About 1836, 
they mutuall}^ agreed to divide and locate the church at 
Earlville.* Those living in that vicinity continued their 
relations with the first church. Those on the east side 
were organized as the Second Baptist Church of Sher- 
burne, Oct. 7, 1836, with twenty members. Their num- 
ber increased to one hundred and fifteen in four years, 
and was then diminished in one year, by emigration, to 
sixty-five. They now number eighty-seven. 



* They sold their house to Henry Waters of Earlville, who removed 
it to the bank of the Chenango Canal, where it was converted into a 
store-house. Some years after, the conversation among a party of 
young men, turning upon the smgular and quaint variety of articles 
with which Mr. "Waters had surrounded himself, one of the number 
offered to bet that no one could inquire for anything in his store, which 
he could not produce. Anotlier accepted the wager — revolving in 
his mind what impossible article of merchandise should save the stake 
— "Have you any pulpits for sale, sir?" Mr. W. promptly led him 
to an out building, where, in the midst of kindred rubbish, he dis- 
played to the astonished youth, and his intensely amused companions, 
the article inquired for, standing entire. 



HISTORY OP SHERBURNE. 95 

They erected their house of worship, in the village, 
in 1837, at the cost of about $2,300. 

METHODISTS. 

The Methodist Church was organized in the village 
of Sherburne, March 12, 1839, by Rev. James P. Backus 
and Ebenezer Colson. They built their house of wor- 
ship in 1 840. They now number eighty-three members. 

FREE COMMUNION BAPTISTS. 

The Free Communion Baptist Church, was organized 
as a branch of the Plainfield Church, Feb. 8, 1809, by 
Elder Strait, Deacons Fuller and Crumb, jr., and Messrs. 
Spicer, Fitch and other brethren. They chose Elder 
Strait their pastor, and Ephraim Mo wry church-clerk. 
They received, on that occasion, eighteen into their fel- 
lowship by baptism. From this time they had a succes- 
sion of pastors, and frequent additions were made until 
1819, when, by mutual consent, a council of ministers 
and delegates, from churches in their connection, was 
called to dissolve their relations with the parent church. 
This council consisted of Elder William Hunt, from 
Plainfield; Elder Benjamin Rowland, Exeter; Elder 
Easterbrooks, Brookfield ; Deacon William Phelps, New 
Berlin ; and Deacon Hart, from Plymouth. They met at 
the school-house, near Stephen Tillotson's, on the 2d 
day of June, 1819. Elder William Hunt was chosen 
moderator, and Royal Bryant clerk. The council after 
due consideration, organized them into a separate church, 
which contained forty-eight members. Elder Hunt gave 
the solemn charge. Elder Easterbrooks the right hnnd of 
fellowship, and Elder Rowland made the concluding 
prayer. Stephen Tillotson and Stephen Tinker were 
Deacons, Robert Dart church clerk. 



96 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 

About this time, Elder Benjamin Rowland, was chosen 
pastor, and occupied the pulpit seventeen years. During 
his ministry, there were frequent revivals. In 1820, there 
Avere fifty-five added to the church. Occasional additions 
were made from year to year, until 1831, when there 
was another revival, and sixty-seven were added. 

About this time, they obtained a charter from the 
Legislature, and were incorporated Free Communion 
Baptists of the State of New York. They erected a 
house of worship, at the cost of about $500. 

From 1831, the church continued to prosper — revivals 
were frequent, and large accessions were made. Deaths, 
exclusions and emigrations, have reduced their number 
at present, to about one hundred. Elder Rowland's suc- 
cessors, in the pastoral office, were : Elders Lotheridge, 
Mathers, Brown, Clark, Russel, Gardner, Moore, Cook, 
Lewis, and J. M. Darling, who is the present j^astor. 

Two of their members have become preachers of the 
gospel, viz.; William Lothridge, ordained July 9, 1831 ; 
and Daniel Mather, in 1837. 

EPISCOPALIANS. 

The Episcopalians were organized into a church, by 
the Rev. Russel Wheeler, in July, 1828. 

Its first male Members^ were — Thomas Kershaw, H. 
N. Fargo, Amasa Skinner, Asa Foote, Ezra Griffin. 

First Wardens. — Thomas Kershaw, H. N. Fargo. 

First Vestry. — Amasa Skinner, Alexander Holmes, 
Reuben Davie, Elijah E. Merrill, Peter J.Davison, Wm. 
Rees, Asa Foote. 

Their first Rector was the Rev. Edward Andrews, 
who was engaged to officiate one fourth of the time, for 
one year, from the first of Sept., 1828. 



HISTORY OP SHERBURNE. 9*7 

They erected their church edifice in 1831, at the cost 
of about ^2.500, including the bell.* 

In 1882, Bishop Onderdonk made them their first paro- 
chial visit, and confirmed thirty-six. 

In 1832, the Rev. John-W. Woodward, supplied the 
parish one half of the time. In August of the same 
year, the Rev. Liberty A. Barrows was employed as 
Rector, one half of the time. By a subsequent arrange- 
ment, he continued to serve the parish until 1838, when 
he resigned. In January, 1838, the Rev. Thomas J. 
Ruger, succeeded him, and occupied the pulpit six months. 
In June, 1839, the Rev. Thomas Tow^el, filled the vacan- 
cy. In Feb., 1842, the Rev. Liberty A. Barrows was 
recalled, and continued until 1846, w^hen he resigned. 
In May of the same year, the Rev. W. D. Wilson was 
chosen Rector, and continued the same until 1850. On 
the 8th of May, that year, the Rev. Levi H. Corson was 
chosen Rector. During his ministry, on the 19th June, 
1850, the records of the church and society were burnt, 
and the above minutes were collected by him, from 
the best information that could be obtained. May 8, 
1854, he resigned. The Rev. Thomas Applegate suc- 
ceeded in July, 1854. He resigned Oct. 1, 1855. Rev. 
G, L. Foote became Rector, April 1, 1856, and continued 
until April, 1858. May, 1858, the Rev. Joshua L. Bur- 
rows became Rector, and still officiates as their pastor. 

In 1 85 8, their church communicants numbered seventy. 
The number of families belonging to their society was 
fifty-eight, containing one hundred and thirty adults, and 

* Trinity Churcb, in New York, contributed 500 dollars; Jo!in 
"Watts, of New York, (a large land-holder in the north-east quarter,) 
$500 ; Amasa Skinner, Thomas Kershaw, and H. N. Fargo, each $iOO, 
And others smaller sums, according to their several abilities. 
I 



98 HISTORY OF SHERBURXE. 

fifty children ; in all one hundred and eighty. Sabbath 
school pupils thirty. Moneys raised for missionary and 
benevolent objects $131 60. 

UNIYERSALISTS.* 

The Universalist Society of Sherburne, was organized 
on the 25th day of August, 1849, by the friends of the 
cause, who met at the brick school-house, situated east 
of the Academy, in the village of Sherburne, which 
building was previously purchased by them, to be used 
as a place of public worship. The meeting was organ- 
ized, by appointing the Rev. James S. Sherburne, as 
Moderator, and Isaac Plumb, as Secretary. The Rev. 
Alfred Peck, oiFered a prayer ; and a Constitution for 
the government of the society, was presented by the 
Rev. C. L. Shipman, for consideration, which waa 
adopted. Alberto Sabin, Naham Starr and Lnther K. 
Murdock, were elected Trustees ; and Elijah S. Ly- 
man, was elected Secretary. Rev. James S. Sherburne, 
Naham Starr, Richmond White, Alfred Sabin, Alberto 
Sabin, Elijah S. Lyman, William C. White, Luther N. 
Murdock, and Isaac Plumb, were present and partici- 
pated in the proceedings of the meeting. 

The society held religious services at this house, until 
the year 1856, when they purchased the meeting-house, 
in the village of Sherburne, known as the Free Church, 
a neat and commodious building, which they still occupy 
for religious worship. 

ROMAN CATHOLICS. 

After the completion of the Chenango Canal, a num- 
ber of foreigners, chiefly Irish, remained in the town. 

* Communicated by Isaac Plumb, Esq. 



HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 99 

They were soon organized into a church, professing the 
Roman Cathohc faith. 

In 1858, they purchased the house belonging to the 
First Congregational Church and Society of Sherburne, 
and haA^e preaching once in two or three weeks. If I 
am rightfully informed, there is not an American born 
citizen, except their own children, united with them. It 
appears to be the policy of their Priests, to keep them 
isolated as much as possible, from all religious or educa- 
tional intercourse with the Protestant community. 

LAST OF THE ORIGINAL PROPRIETORS. 

Josiah Lathrop was one of the original proprietors of 
the south-west quarter ; and was three years in the service 
of his country, during the Revolution. He and Joel Hatch 
were the last survivors of that band of pioneers. It was 
a curious coincidence that their birtjl days should be the 
same day and month, the 29th of August, although Mr. 
L. was seven years the senior. It v/as their custom to 
meet at each other's houses, alternately on that day, and 
have a social visit with each other, and their offspring, 
to the fourth genei-ation. It was a grand sight to behold 
these venerable men, " o'er whose grey locks four score 
and ten winters had shed their frosts and snows," sit 
side by side, and recount the reminiscences of the past. 
They had seen sixty winters pass over the valley, since 
their first arrival, and now found themselves the only 
survivors of all their compeers. Together they had gone 
through the trials and vicissitudes of tlieir country, " in 
the times that tried men's souls." They could contrast 
the present with the day they first beheld the Valley of 
Chenango in its primitive glory, when it was only the 
residence of the roving Indian, the wild bear, the prowl- 



100 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 

ing wolf, and the bounding deer. When Tvith slow and 
steady perseverance of the ax, swung by their own arm, 
they beheld, one after another, the trees of the forest 
fall crashing to the ground. Now, in their stead, the 
expanded landscape, dotted with comfortable dwellings, 
surrounded by lawns of luxuriant grass, and fields of 
waving grain, spreads itself out before them. With hearts 
overflowing with joy and gratitude, they saw temples 
erected to the living God, filled with worshipers from 
Sabbath to Sabbath — flourishing schools around them — 
prosperity and internal improvements exceeding their 
most sanguine anticipations. Every bosom would swell 
with grateful emotion towards them and their associates, 
for all the toils and hardships which they encountered in 
laying the foundation for these results : all would be dis- 
posed to honor them, not only as soldiers of the Revolu- 
tion, but as soldiers of the Cross — to regard them not 
merely as aged citizgns, but as sages " whose words were 
words of wisdom, which it would be safe to follow." 

These fathers, and the greater portion of the early set- 
tlers with them, have gone the way of all the earth. The 
last of this band was Joel Hatch, who survived Mr. 
Lathrop, about one year; and was one of the' first to 
explore and settle in this town, and the last to leave it. 
He died March 26, 1855, in the 91st year of his age. 

CONCLUSION. 

What people have received a greater legacy from their 
forefathers, than the people of Sherburne ? The boon of 
freedom, from tyrany and oppression, almost every one 
of the original, and many of the early settlers with them, 
were personally active in obtaining, which, together with 
the beautiful landscape that adorns the banks of the Che- 



HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 101 

nango, as a well watered garden, and was made such by 
the sweat of their brow, they have bequeathed to us. 
These organized churches, religious and literary institu- 
tions, so prominent in our midst, after being watered by 
their tears, and nourished by their prayers, they have 
handed over into our hands for safe keeping. May wo 
ever have their namea in grateful remembrance, imi- 
tating their virtues, and transmitting this inheritance 
unimpaired to our posterity. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



PAGB. 

Animals, "Wild, 76 

Ark 59 

Baptists, 94 

Birds, 78 

Bridge, 58 

Burritt, Rev. Blackleach 15 

Carding Machine, 44 

Census, 61 

Chenango Canal, 60 

Climate, 67 

Church, 85 

Circuit Court, 44 

Citiz-ens who became preachers, &c., 65 

Conclusion, 100 

Deer, 78 

Distilleries, 82 

Episcopalians, 9G 

First Family, 11 

First Justice of the Peace, 34 

First Lawsuit, 35 

Krsfc Payment of Lands, 31 

First School, 32 

Free Communion Baptists, 95 

Geology G5 

Gospel and School Lands, 4V 

Graduates of GoUegee 64 

Grist Mill, 26 

Hftwka, 79 



104 TABLB OF CONTENTS. 

Indians, 71 

Indian Fortifications, 75 

Indian Relics 74 

Introductory Remarks, 5 

Judges, 43 

Last of tho Original Proprietors, 99 

Latitude and Longitude, 71 

Lawyers, first in Town, 41 

Library, 50 

Log-houses, 19 

Marriage, first in town, 50 

Methodists, 95 

Panthers,.' :.. 77 

Pkrty Ride, "...... ' 51 

Physicians, ., . - 46 

Pigeons, Wild, 79 

Pioneers, ..... , .' '7 

Potatoes, 81.' 

Products of the Soil, 79- 

Roman Catholics, 93, 

School Houses, ■ 43-- 

Sherburnoites admitted to the Bar, 65- 

Skunks, '. .' 78 

Store, ...*!... 44 

Tho Press, 61 

Town Meeting, .- . •. 82 

Univorsalists, 98 

Wedding, .......■..,..;............ .■ .' 50 

Wild Animals, ; 76 

Wolves,^ -. •.'.... '. i ;... 77 

Woolen Factory, ...,.,..,. ^ "45 



^J 92 8 



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